Telangana CM Revanth’s remarks comparing Hindu Gods with Congress’s style of functioning rakes up controversy

A political controversy has erupted in Telangana after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s casual remarks referring to Hindu gods during an internal Congress meeting went viral, prompting sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

While addressing the newly appointed District Congress Committee (DCC) chiefs and other senior leaders on Tuesday (December 2, 2025), Mr. Reddy drew a parallel between the diversity within the party and the plurality within Hinduism. In his signature informal style, the Chief Minister said Hindu dharma accommodates nearly three crore deities, offering a god for every occasion and every situation.

He cited examples saying that there are deities associated with bachelors like Lord Hanuman, and others such as Pochamma, Maisamma and Yellamma, whom people worship with celebration, enjoyment and drinking. “Just as Hinduism has a god to suit every mentality, the Congress too has space for every viewpoint,” he said, adding that this inclusiveness was the key to the party’s 140-year survival.

Mr. Reddy urged the newly appointed DCC presidents to be accommodative and adjust to differing opinions within the party, irrespective of personal beliefs.

However, once the remarks surfaced online, political opponents seized upon the references to gods associated with different situation and occasion, accusing the Chief Minister of mocking Hindu faith and beliefs. Clips of the speech were widely shared by the BJP and its followers amplifying the reach.

The BJP reacted strongly, with Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay alleging that “insulting Hindu gods is the culture of the Congress” and claimed that the remarks reflected the party’s inclination to “prostrate before the AIMIM while insulting Hindus.” He reiterated his earlier warning during the Jubilee Hills byelection campaign, saying that a Congress victory would undermine Hindu dignity, and called upon Hindus to unite.

BJP Telangana president G. Ramchandra Rao also condemned the comments and urged the party cadre to register their protest across the State. He demanded an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

The BRS joined the criticism, accusing Mr. Reddy of disrespecting Hindu beliefs and demanding that he apologise to Hindus “across the world.”