BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi responds after Telangana CM’s religious remarks spark controversy. (Img: X)
New Delhi: A political controversy has erupted after Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s remarks on Lord Ram, Lord Shiva and religious slogans triggered a sharp reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP has accused the Congress leader of attempting to create divisions within Hindu society, while Reddy’s comments have opened a wider discussion on religious symbolism, regional identity and political narratives.
The controversy started after Revanth Reddy, during a media interaction in New Delhi, questioned the repeated political use of the slogan Jai Shri Ram and compared it with the traditional chant Har Har Mahadev associated with Lord Shiva.
The Telangana Chief Minister said that both Lord Ram and Lord Shiva hold deep religious significance but argued that political narratives around these symbols have evolved differently. He also described Lord Shiva as a deity connected with ordinary people and Lord Ram as a figure whose symbolism has become highly visible in political discourse.
The remarks quickly became a political flashpoint, with BJP leaders accusing him of attempting to create differences between religious traditions.
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi launched a strong attack on the Telangana Chief Minister during a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
Trivedi alleged that Revanth Reddy’s comments were part of a broader attempt by Congress to create divisions within Hindu society on the basis of region, language and identity.
The BJP leader claimed that the remarks could encourage a North-South divide and criticised the reference to Aryan and Dravidian identities. He also referred to statements made by some Congress leaders in the past on regional issues, taxation and federal representation.
The BJP maintained that Hindu traditions are interconnected and cannot be separated through geographical or political classifications.
## Jai Shri Ram And Har Har Mahadev Debate Takes Centre Stage
The key point of the controversy revolves around the political and cultural significance of two widely recognised religious chants — Jai Shri Ram and Har Har Mahadev.
Revanth Reddy questioned why BJP leaders frequently use Jai Shri Ram during political programmes while the chant Har Har Mahadev receives comparatively less political emphasis.
The BJP rejected this argument and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly expressed his association with Lord Shiva traditions.
Trivedi highlighted PM Modi’s connection with Varanasi, the constituency represented by him in the Lok Sabha, and referred to his visits to major Shiva temples. He also mentioned the naming of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing site as Shiv Shakti Point, stating that the name represented India’s cultural values and the contribution of women scientists behind the mission.
## BJP Raises Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leadership Issues
During his press conference, Sudhanshu Trivedi also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and questioned the party’s approach towards religious issues.
He referred to Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary oath and alleged differences in the way religious references were used during different periods.
The BJP spokesperson also accused Congress leaders of attempting to divide society through regional, linguistic, caste and gender-based narratives.
These allegations are part of a larger political conflict between BJP and Congress, with both parties frequently accusing each other of using identity-based issues for political messaging.
## Congress And BJP Differ Over Political Use Of Religion
The controversy has once again brought the issue of religion and politics into national focus.
Congress leaders have often argued that India’s cultural diversity requires recognition of multiple traditions and identities, while BJP leaders have criticised what they describe as attempts to create divisions within Hindu society.
The latest exchange reflects the larger political battle between the two parties over issues of culture, nationalism and social representation.
## North-South Identity Debate Adds Another Layer
The controversy also revived the debate around regional identity after Revanth Reddy’s comments about Dravidian and Aryan references.
The BJP criticised the remarks and said they could deepen regional divisions, while the broader discussion has highlighted long-running debates around language, culture and federal politics in India.
Political observers have noted that regional identity has remained an important issue in Indian politics, especially in states where cultural and linguistic issues influence public discourse.
## Political Impact Ahead Of Future Electoral Battles
The BJP-Congress clash over Revanth Reddy’s remarks comes at a time when political parties are increasingly focusing on cultural issues and identity-based narratives. The controversy is expected to continue as both parties attempt to present their respective positions before voters.
While BJP leaders are using the issue to question Congress’ approach towards religious sentiments, Congress leaders are likely to defend their position on cultural diversity and representation. The latest political face-off highlights how statements related to religion and identity can quickly become national debates in Indian politics.
