A major political storm has erupted in Telangana following Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s remarks at a state-sponsored Christmas event on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Addressing a large gathering at the LB Stadium, the Chief Minister claimed that the people of Telangana owe their Christmas celebrations to the “sacrifices and crucial role” of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
The “Miracle Month” Analogy
CM Reddy’s speech centered on the significance of December for both the Christian community and the state of Telangana.
The “Miracle” Connection: Reddy stated that December is a “Miracle Month” because it marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the birthday of Sonia Gandhi (December 9), and the month in which the UPA government officially announced the formation of Telangana in 2009.
The Sacrifice: “If we are celebrating Christmas today in a separate Telangana state, it is because Sonia Gandhi fulfilled a six-decade-old dream despite knowing it would lead to political losses for the party in Andhra Pradesh,” the CM remarked.
Governance Message: He added that his government draws inspiration from the teachings of Christ—specifically the message of love and peace—to implement welfare schemes for the poor.
BJP’s Sharp Rebuttal: “Insult to Jesus Christ”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to condemn the statements, accusing the Congress of “extreme sycophancy” and “dynastic worship.”
| Leader | Response |
| Shehzad Poonawalla (BJP) | “If sycophancy were a sport, Revanth Reddy would win the Olympic gold medal. This is an insult to Jesus Christ and the Christian community to claim a religious festival happens because of one politician.” |
| Bandi Sanjay Kumar (Union Minister) | Alleged that the Congress’s “hatred for Hindu gods” and “prostrating before a family” has reached a new peak. |
| N. Ramchander Rao (BJP) | Demanded an unconditional apology, stating that “personal loyalty cannot outweigh the public mandate or religious sanctity.” |
Legislative Follow-up: The Hate Speech Bill
Amidst the controversy, Reddy reaffirmed his government’s plan to combat communal polarization.
New Legislation: Inspired by the Karnataka government’s recent move, Telangana will table a Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill during the upcoming Budget session.8
Stringent Action: The CM warned that those who insult or abuse any religion—whether through words or digital content—will face severe punishment, including imprisonment.
Social Media Backlash
The remarks have gone viral, with critics pointing out a “flip-flop” in Reddy’s stance. Opposition leaders shared old clips from Reddy’s tenure in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), where he had once referred to Sonia Gandhi as a “Bali Devatha” (Goddess of Sacrifice/Destruction) in the context of the statehood struggle—a stark contrast to his current praise.