Are Telangana CM's Remarks About Muslims Misrepresented?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad, Nov 5 (NationPress) Facing criticism from opposition parties and Muslim organizations for allegedly suggesting that Muslims owe their very existence to the Congress party, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy asserted on Wednesday that his comments had been misrepresented.
The Chief Minister emphasized his long-standing commitment to secularism since entering politics.
His clarification came during a speech at an election rally in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency, where a by-election is set for November 11.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) alongside various Muslim groups condemned Revanth Reddy's remarks made during the election campaign on Tuesday.
Describing the reported comment that “Congress hai toh Musalman hai, Congress nahi toh aap kuch nahi” (Muslims exist because of Congress. You are nothing without Congress) as offensive, the Muslim groups demanded an apology.
At the election rally on Wednesday, the Chief Minister claimed that Congress governments have provided numerous opportunities to minorities.
“It is solely Congress that has appointed minorities to significant positions. Congress signifies Muslims, and Muslims signify Congress. Our government treats Hindus and Muslims equally; we practice no discrimination,” he stated.
He noted his three-time victory in the Kodangal Assembly seat was due to minority support and asserted that minorities faced no issues during the 20 months of Congress governance in the state.
Reiterating Congress's dedication to Muslim welfare, he accused BRS of deceiving the Muslim community and claimed that BRS would soon merge with the BJP.
The Chief Minister also criticized Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy for opposing Azharuddin's inclusion in the state cabinet.
“Why is Kishan Reddy against Azharuddin? Is this his personal domain? What is the issue if a minority leader is appointed as a minister?” he queried.
Revanth Reddy confronted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) to evade arrest in the Kaleshwaram scandal and BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) concerning the Formula E race controversy.
“The Modi government is targeting political opponents through IT, CBI, and ED raids, yet it refuses to take action against BRS leaders involved in scams,” the Chief Minister charged.
He remarked that the Prime Minister ignored the state government's request for a CBI inquiry against KCR, who allegedly misappropriated Rs 1 lakh crores in the Kaleshwaram project. The Governor also prevented KTR's arrest in the Formula E race case.
Claiming that both former CM KCR and PM Modi are aligned, the Chief Minister recalled that KCR has consistently supported Modi. He asserted that in the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election, BJP is backing BRS.