The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of pursuing a policy of 'divide Hindus for Muslim rule' following Reddy's remarks on Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, claimed that the Congress sought to divide Hindu society along regional, linguistic, caste, and gender lines. Trivedi alleged that Reddy's comments, made at a media conclave on September 28, were part of a broader strategy to fragment Hindu identity.

Revanth Reddy, in his remarks, described Dravidians as devotees of Shiva and Northerners as devotees of Ram, suggesting a regional divide. He also remarked that Shiva is the God of the poor and Ram is the God of the rich, implying that the BJP, which he associated with the rich, had a preference for Ram. The Congress defended Reddy, with Telangana Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud stating that Lord Ram 'looks rich' and Lord Shiva 'physically looks poor,' and that both gods are equally revered.

Trivedi accused the Congress of seeking to divide Hindu society into South and North, citing Reddy's comments as evidence. He also criticized the Congress for its 'Smash Patriarchy' campaign, arguing that it only targeted Hindu society. Trivedi pointed to the Grand Mufti of Kerala's comments on women's roles as an example of the Congress's silence on Islamic influence. He contrasted this with what he called the inclusive Hindu tradition, where individuals can visit various religious sites without ceasing to be Hindu.

Trivedi also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's association with Varanasi and the naming of Chandrayaan-3's landing site as 'Shiv Shakti Point,' suggesting that Modi's policies reflect a more inclusive Hindu tradition. He further alleged that the Congress had been influenced by Islamic and Christian perspectives, viewing Hindu gods through a Semitic lens.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the BJP and Congress over religious and regional identity. While the BJP frames the debate as a struggle against a 'divide and rule' strategy, the Congress has not publicly responded to the allegations. The exact intent behind Reddy's remarks remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether they were meant to divide Hindus or simply reflect personal religious views. The situation underscores the complex interplay of religion, politics, and regional identity in Indian politics.