Reported By: Kakoli Mukherjee
News18.com
Last Updated: March 11, 2024, 18:15 IST
Hyderabad, India
An image from the temple visit with deputy chief minister Bhatti on the far left. Pic/X
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former Telangana MLA Balka Suman stoked a controversy on Monday by saying that the state’s ruling Congress insulted deputy chief minister Mallu Vikramarka Bhatti by making him sit on the floor in a temple.
Chief minister Revanth Reddy and a few cabinet ministers visited Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Yadagirigutta on Monday. In a video released from the visit, Revanth Reddy, his wife, irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, and roads and buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy can be seen sitting on a bench. However, Bhatti, who comes from a Scheduled Caste (SC) background, is sitting on the floor.
The BRS is alleging that the minister was made to sit on the floor because he is a Dalit. “The entire Dalit community was insulted today. All the leaders belonging to the Reddy community are sitting on the bench. Ever since the government came, the photo of Bhatti Vikramarka has been kept aside. In the government ads, his photo is never at the centre,” Suman added. He further alleged that even minister for forest and environment Konda Surekha, who comes from a backward caste, was made to occupy a lower seat while the CM’s wife sat on the bench.
BRS leader K Kavitha too commented on the issue, saying Revanth Reddy should apologise immediately for the treatment meted out to the deputy chief minister. “CM Revanth insulted deputy CM Bhatti and minister Konda Surekha at Yadadri temple. It is very unfortunate that they were made to sit at a lower height than others. CM Revanth should apologise immediately. Why is there no place for Munnuru Kapu, Yadava, Mudiraj, Rajaka, Vishwa Brahmin, Kurma and Vaddera communities who have the highest percentage in Telangana in Revanth Reddy’s cabinet?” she added.
Dalit leader and Congress secretary Dr SA Sampath Kumar reacted to the controversy and attacked the BRS. “I strongly condemn the statements made by K Kavitha on this issue. Within 100 days of forming the government, the Congress has won the hearts of people from every section of society. This has created a political vacuum for BRS and they are always looking for issues to blame the Revanth Reddy government. No Dalit is taking the incident seriously but opposition is trying to make a big episode out of it,” he told News18. “Such delicate issues should not be used for political gain. BRS and BJP always try to take advantage of spiritual sentiments for their political gain.”
Congress supporters on social media have cited other instances from the past to claim that the party “respects everyone”.
During Telangana election campaign Rahul Gandhi Ji and @Bhatti_Mallu Garu were sitting on chair and @KomatireddyKVR Garu was sitting below. They all enjoyed Dosa together. Watch this video to learn how Congress respects everyone. pic.twitter.com/0HikgdPTdM https://t.co/q7Q0sMobsL
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) March 11, 2024
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which is BRS’s ally for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, also commented on the issue. Telangana BSP chief Dr RS Praveen Kumar posted a snapshot of the video on social media site X and called it shameful.