Shiva is God of poor, Ram God of rich: Revanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has ignited a political storm by drawing a stark contrast between Lord Shiva and Lord Ram in Indian politics. At a conclave in New Delhi, Reddy claimed that Lord Shiva is linked to the poor while Lord Ram represents the rich, alleging that the BJP has appropriated Lord Ram as a political symbol.

Reddy's remarks, aimed at explaining the Congress Party's electoral failures in northern states despite its stronger presence in southern India, have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar rebuked Reddy, accusing him of creating a political divide between Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. Reddy's comments, which also touched upon the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Congress Party's electoral prospects, have further fueled the debate on religion, regional identity, and the use of religious imagery in Indian politics.