The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, alleging a pattern of "anti-Hindu" remarks made by two of its Chief Ministers. The BJP accuses Congress of harboring contempt for Hindu beliefs and traditions. BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi directly questioned whether the Congress party has instructed its Chief Ministers to attack Hindu deities and beliefs and accused Congress of pursuing an agenda to eradicate 'Sanatana Dharma'.
The BJP's criticism centers on recent statements made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Trivedi referred to Reddy's remarks about the number of Hindu deities, alleging they were "derogatory and offensive" and "deeply hurtful to religious sentiments". Reddy reportedly said that Hindu dharma accommodates nearly three crore deities, with a god for every occasion and every situation. He further elaborated, "There is Hanuman for those who are not 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 and chicken to Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma… There are local deities where toddy and non-vegetarian food are served during certain events and there are gods worshipped by those who eat 'dal rice' (vegetarians)".
Trivedi also cited a video of Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, allegedly discouraging children from saying 'Radhe Radhe'. The BJP spokesperson further linked these remarks to a DMK conference on the "Eradication of Sanatana Dharma," suggesting a broader agenda against Hinduism.
The BJP has reacted strongly, accusing the Congress of "demeaning the entire constitutional apparatus with an urban Naxal mindset and spreading hatred for Hindu dharma, which is a Muslim League agenda". Trivedi stated that such comments are intolerable and accused Congress of having a "Muslim League-Maoist" mindset. He referenced Reddy's previous statement that "Congress means Muslims and Muslim means Congress," accusing the Congress of aligning with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay stated that the remarks were clear evidence that the "Congress' hatred for Hindus flows through its veins". He also said that Hindus would face a situation where they could not step outside with their heads held high if the Congress or the BRS were to win.
Telangana BJP head Ramchander Rao and Andhra Pradesh unit head P.V.N. Madhav condemned Reddy's remarks and demanded an apology to the Hindu community. Rao accused Reddy of continuing his anti-Hindu statements and the Congress party's appeasement policy to attract Muslim votes in the local body elections.
In response to the criticism, CM Revanth Reddy defended his comments, stating that he "only meant to convey the message that Congress too is like the Hindu society".
