Reddy's Ram-Shiva remarks: Congress defends Telangana CM as BJP demands apology

Congress has defended Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy after he made remarks comparing Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. Congress Telangana chief Mahesh Kumar Goud stated that the BJP is attempting to claim Lord Ram and secure votes in elections, which is an inappropriate practice. Goud explained that Lord Ram appears wealthy due to his attire, while Lord Shiva appears impoverished due to his lack of clothing.

Despite the physical differences between the deities, Goud emphasized that both are revered and prayed to equally. This comes after Reddy claimed that the Congress had achieved success mainly in southern states while struggling in northern regions because the BJP had allegedly stolen Lord Ram, which is particularly revered in the north.

Reddy also asserted that Shiva is the God of the poor, Ram is the God of the rich, and the BJP is a party for the affluent. Union Minister Sanjay Kumar Bandi strongly responded, accusing Reddy of fostering political divisions between Lord Ram and Lord Shiva, and suggesting that the remark is an attempt to divide the Hindu community.