Archive · 30 Sep 2026
BJP Criticises Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Over Shiva-Ram Remarks
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy spoke about Lord Shiva and Lord Ram at an event in Delhi.
He compared the slogans “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Sri Ram.”
He said people in the south are connected with Shiva, while people in the north are connected with Ram.
He described these groups as Dravidians and Aryans.
He also said Shiva represents the poor and Ram represents the rich.
Reddy said people respect and worship both gods.
The BJP strongly criticised his comments.
BJP spokesperson Sudhansu Trivedi said the Congress was trying to create divisions among Hindus.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy made the remarks at a Delhi conclave on Monday.
Reddy contrasted the slogans “Jai Sri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev,” associating them with the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said Dravidians worship Lord Shiva, while Aryans worship Lord Ram.
Reddy described Shiva as the god of the poor and Ram as the god of the rich, while saying both are revered.
BJP spokesperson Sudhansu Trivedi accused the Congress of trying to divide Hindu society and called the remarks vile politics.
- Who
- Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy made the remarks; BJP spokesperson Sudhansu Trivedi issued the criticism.
- What
- Reddy compared Hindu religious slogans and associated Lord Shiva and Lord Ram with different regional, social and political identities.
- When
- Reddy spoke on Monday; the BJP criticism was reported on Wednesday, September 30.
- Where
- The remarks were made at a media-organised conclave in New Delhi, and the BJP response came at its headquarters there.
- Why
- Reddy was discussing perceived North-South political and religious differences; the BJP said his comments attempted to divide Hindus.
Revanth Reddy’s Position
BJP’s Criticism
Religious and regional identities
Revanth Reddy’s Position
Reddy said southerners are Dravidians and devotees of Shiva, while northerners are Aryans and devotees of Ram.
BJP’s Criticism
The BJP accused the Congress of trying to divide Hindus by separating Hindu society and even its deities.
Political slogans
Revanth Reddy’s Position
Reddy said the BJP and Narendra Modi use “Jai Sri Ram” rather than “Har Har Mahadev,” and claimed the BJP had politically appropriated Ram.
BJP’s Criticism
The BJP rejected Reddy’s framing and described his comments as an especially vile example of Indian politics.
Economic characterization
Revanth Reddy’s Position
Reddy described Shiva as the god of the poor and Ram as the god of the rich, and associated the BJP with the rich.
BJP’s Criticism
The BJP’s stated response focused on alleged religious division rather than providing a separate detailed rebuttal to the economic characterization.
- Speaker
- A Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana
- Location
- New Delhi
- Slogans
- “Jai Sri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev”
- Reddy’s comparison
- He said Dravidians worship Lord Shiva and Aryans worship Lord Ram.
- Economic framing
- Reddy called Shiva the god of the poor and Ram the god of the rich.
- BJP response
- BJP spokesperson Sudhansu Trivedi accused the Congress of dividing Hindu society.
- Additional statement
- Reddy said people revere and worship both deities.
