Revanth Reddy’s Controversial Remarks on Hindu Deities Ignite Political Firestorm

Hyderabad, December 3, 2025 – In a speech that has sent shockwaves through Telangana’s political landscape, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s light-hearted yet deeply provocative comments on the multiplicity of Hindu gods have drawn fierce backlash from opposition parties and Hindu organizations. Delivered during the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) executive meeting at Gandhi Bhavan on December 2, the remarks were intended to underscore the party’s inclusivity but have instead been branded as a blatant insult to Hindu sentiments.

The Remarks That Sparked the Row

Addressing party leaders, Reddy drew an analogy between the diverse worship practices in Hinduism and the varied ideologies within the Congress party. “Because there is freedom in the Congress, the party has existed for 140 years,” he began, before delving into the contentious portion:

“How many Gods are there in Hinduism? How many deities? Are there 3 crore? Why? There is Hanuman for those who don’t get married, there is another God for those who marry twice, there is one God for those who drink alcohol, there are people who offer Alcohol & Chicken to Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma and there is also a God for those who eat Rice & Dal. Isn’t that right? There are all kinds of Gods. The Congress party is also a party that takes along all kinds of people with all kinds of mindsets. We don’t even have a consensus on God. One person will bow to Lord Venkateshwara, another will bow to Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman).”

Reddy framed the observation as a “lighter vein” commentary on Hinduism’s rich tapestry of deities—often poetically described as encompassing 33 crore gods—to highlight how the Congress accommodates differing views, much like the faith’s pluralistic traditions. However, clips of the speech quickly went viral on social media, amplifying accusations of mockery.

Opposition’s Swift and Scathing Response

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), long critical of Congress’s alleged “soft Hindutva” stance, led the charge. Union Minister and former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar condemned the comments as evidence of the Congress’s “deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus.” In a fiery post on X, he wrote: “I strongly condemn the comments made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy insulting Hindus and Hindu deities. … This is exactly why we warned during the Jubilee Hills by-election that if Congress or BRS accidentally won, Hindus would not be able to step out with dignity. The Chief Minister’s latest comments prove BJP was right.”

State BJP President N. Ramchander Rao echoed this, accusing Reddy of turning “anti-Hindu” post his alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). “Just because the CM has a friendship with AIMIM, that doesn’t mean that he should insult the Hindu religion… BJP wants the Chief Minister to apologise to Hindus of the country,” Rao stated during a press interaction in Hyderabad. The party has called for statewide protests on December 3, including effigy burnings of the CM, urging Hindus to “unite and assert their strength.”

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Telangana’s former ruling party, joined the fray with equal vehemence. BRS leader Rakesh Reddy Anugula tweeted: “Mocking Hindu gods has become a fashion for everyone these days. … It is unfortunate that Revanth Reddy speaks in a way that hurts the sentiments of crores of Hindus.” BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao labeled the remarks “irresponsible and shameful,” demanding an unconditional apology.

Hindu advocacy groups amplified the outrage. National Mahila President of Visva Hindu Raksha Parishad, Yamuna Pathak, declared: “Mocking Hanuman Ji means he is mocking the very soul of our nation, the very belief of Sanatan Dharma… Does he have the guts to express the same form of free speech for any other religious heads or their gods? We demand an unending apology.”

Context and Patterns: A History of Controversy?

This isn’t Reddy’s first brush with religious polarization. During the recent Jubilee Hills by-election campaign, he had stirred debate by stating, “Congress means Muslims and Muslims mean Congress,” positioning the party as a protector of minority interests. Critics, including BJP’s G. Kishan Reddy, argue this reflects an “arrogant” tilt toward AIMIM, at the expense of Hindu voters. “The time has come for Hindus to unite in Telangana also. The time has come to show the power of Hindus to Revanth Reddy and Congress party,” Kishan Reddy asserted.

Social media erupted with hashtags like #RevanthReddyInsultsHindus and #ApologiseRevanthReddy, with users questioning why Hindu deities are fair game for “humor” while other faiths remain untouchable. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla quipped on X: “Hindu Astha ko gaali, Votebank ki milegi taali,” capturing the sentiment that such rhetoric is a calculated ploy for minority appeasement.

Defenders of Reddy, including some Congress insiders, insist the comments were taken out of context—a folksy nod to Hinduism’s inclusivity rather than derision. Yet, with the state assembly elections looming in 2028, the row threatens to deepen communal fault lines in Telangana, where Hindus form over 85% of the population.

Broader Implications for Indian Politics

Reddy’s faux pas arrives amid a national surge in religious rhetoric. The BJP has masterfully leveraged similar controversies—from Rahul Gandhi’s “Shakti” remarks to Udhayanidhi Stalin’s “Sanatana Dharma” jibe—to consolidate its Hindu base. In Telangana, where Congress ousted BRS in 2023 on promises of welfare over polarization, this episode could erode Reddy’s image as a “people’s CM.”

As protests unfold today, all eyes are on Reddy’s response. Will he issue the demanded apology, or double down on his “inclusive” narrative? For now, the deity debate has transcended party lines, reminding us that in India’s vibrant democracy, even gods can become unwitting pawns in the political chessboard.

Hindutone.com is committed to unbiased reporting on issues affecting Hindu society. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. Share your views in the comments below.

By Editorial Desk | Hindutone.com

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