A political row has erupted in Telangana days before Christmas after Chief Minister Revanth Reddy publicly credited Congress leader Sonia Gandhi with the celebration of the festival in the state, triggering sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the ruling party of political sycophancy and of diminishing the agency of the Christian community.The controversy unfolded after Reddy, addressing a gathering linked to Christmas celebrations, referred to Sonia Gandhi’s role in promoting religious harmony and suggested that her leadership had enabled Christians in Telangana to celebrate Christmas freely and with state recognition. The remark quickly gained traction across political circles and social media platforms, drawing strong reactions from opposition leaders.
The BJP’s Telangana unit described the statement as an affront to the Christian community, arguing that Christmas has been observed by Christians in the region for generations, long predating the formation of the state and the political careers of contemporary leaders. Party spokespersons said attributing the celebration of a centuries-old religious festival to a political figure reflected what they termed an excessive culture of personal glorification within the Congress.
BJP leaders further argued that the comment risked politicising a religious occasion that traditionally emphasises faith, community, and goodwill. They said Christians in Telangana had practised their religion freely under constitutional guarantees, independent of which party held power at the Centre or in the state. According to the BJP, framing Christmas as a political concession undermines the secular foundations of the Constitution and the autonomy of religious communities.
Congress leaders moved swiftly to defend the chief minister, insisting that his remarks were being selectively interpreted. Senior party figures said Reddy had intended to highlight Sonia Gandhi’s role in strengthening secular values and minority confidence during periods of political tension, not to suggest that Christmas itself was introduced or permitted by any political authority. They argued that the Congress has historically positioned itself as a defender of pluralism and minority rights, and that the chief minister’s comments reflected that broader political narrative.
The episode has added to an already charged political atmosphere in Telangana, where the Congress returned to power after a decade-long gap by dislodging the Bharat Rashtra Samithi government. Since taking office, Reddy has sought to consolidate support among various social and religious groups while also pushing a reform agenda focused on governance, welfare delivery, and institutional changes. Opposition parties, including the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, have closely scrutinised his public statements, often framing them as signals of ideological positioning ahead of future electoral contests.
Christian organisations in the state responded with measured caution. Some community leaders said they did not wish Christmas celebrations to become a partisan issue, stressing that the festival’s significance lies in its spiritual meaning rather than political endorsement. Others noted that state support for Christmas events, including official greetings and participation by elected representatives, has been a practice followed by successive governments, irrespective of party affiliation.
Political analysts say the controversy reflects a broader pattern in national and state politics, where religious symbolism and public messaging around festivals are increasingly contested terrain. In Telangana, where religious and cultural diversity forms a key part of the social fabric, statements by political leaders are often parsed for their implications on secularism and minority relations. Analysts also point out that such disputes tend to intensify during major festivals, when public visibility and symbolic gestures carry heightened political weight.
The BJP’s criticism also fits into its wider strategy of challenging the Congress on issues of identity politics, accusing it of favouring certain communities for electoral gain. Congress leaders, in turn, have countered by accusing the BJP of attempting to communalise routine political statements and of misrepresenting remarks to polarise voters.