Hyderabad, December 21, 2025 – In a bid to foster religious harmony, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced plans on Saturday to introduce a stringent law punishing those who insult other religions, during a grand pre-Christmas celebration organized by Christian denominations across the state.
The event, held at the iconic L B Stadium here, drew thousands of attendees and featured festive performances, carol singing, and a cake-cutting ceremony led by Reddy alongside cabinet minister and former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. Addressing the gathering, Reddy emphasized the government's commitment to equal respect for all faiths, stating that the proposed legislation would "stamp out religious hatred" and ensure minorities fully benefit from welfare schemes.
"We will bring a law in the Assembly to punish those who insult other religions. We will also amend the existing Acts to punish those who abuse other faiths," Reddy declared, adding that the bill would be tabled in the upcoming budget session. The initiative, modeled on similar anti-hate speech measures in neighboring Karnataka, aims to impose stricter penalties for acts that demean or provoke interfaith tensions, building on recent actions against those spreading religious discord.
Reddy's remarks come amid ongoing efforts to address communal sensitivities in the state. He highlighted pending issues like limited burial spaces for Christians and Muslims in Hyderabad, assuring swift resolution. Praising the contributions of Christian missionaries to education and healthcare for the underprivileged, the Chief Minister extended warm Christmas greetings, invoking the teachings of Jesus Christ. "Jesus Christ gave a strong message to humanity that we should love even those who hate us," he said.
The speech also touched on Telangana's political history, with Reddy dubbing December a "miracle month" for the state and the Congress party. He credited senior leader Sonia Gandhi for her pivotal role in granting statehood to Telangana in 2014, despite political setbacks in Andhra Pradesh. "The reason we are celebrating the Christmas festival here today is because of the contribution of Sonia Gandhi," Reddy remarked, linking her December birthday to the festive spirit.
The comments, however, sparked sharp backlash from opposition parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lambasted the remarks as "excessive flattery" and an "insult to Jesus Christ and the Christian community." BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla quipped on social media, "If sycophancy were a sport, Revanth Reddy would win the Olympic gold medal. He has crossed all limits of flattery by claiming that Christmas is celebrated because of Sonia Gandhi's sacrifice." The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Telangana's former ruling party, amplified a video clip of the speech on X, subtly critiquing the attribution of the festival's celebration to Gandhi's "sacrifice."
This announcement follows a recent controversy involving Reddy's off-the-cuff comments on Hindu deities during a Congress executive meeting, which drew intra-party criticism for potentially alienating Hindu voters. Critics had accused him of trivializing religious beliefs, prompting calls for greater sensitivity in public discourse.
Reddy's push for the new law underscores the Congress government's broader agenda of inclusive governance under its "Telangana Rising 2047" vision, targeting a $3 trillion economy that benefits all communities. As the state gears up for the holiday season, the proposal has reignited debates on balancing free speech with protections against hate, with civil society groups urging swift implementation to prevent escalation of interfaith conflicts.
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