Hyderabad, May 5 (PTI): Telangana BJP legislator Paidi Rakesh Reddy on Monday called for the abolition of family planning for Hindus, so they can have more children.

Addressing a party meeting in Nizamabad, the Armoor MLA, indirectly referring to last month’s terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, said that the terrorists had asked if the victims were Hindus before killing them.

He asserted that only unity among Hindus could protect future generations and safeguard the country.

He also remarked that the "opposite person" was "playing the game" with 11 to 12 children and roaming around with bombs, while "our" children were scared even of firecrackers.

"I am telling all of you, brothers and women, since you are all here, I am requesting that family planning for Hindus be abolished. Give birth to a sufficient number of children. The unity of Hindus is the only way to stop these guns. We are one. If there is no Dharma, there is no country. And if there is no country or Dharma, there are no future generations. Kashmir is an example of that," he claimed.

Reddy further stated that the terrorists in the Pahalgam attack did not ask the victims about their caste—whether they were blacksmiths or barbers, Tamilians, Maharashtrians, or Telugus. "Did they ask? They asked if you were Hindu," he said.

The BJP leader could not be immediately reached for clarification on his statement.

Reacting to Reddy’s comments, Congress Lok Sabha member Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said that in a secular country like India, religion should not be used to criticise or compare issues.

"This does not address the real problem and instead creates unrest in the country. Rakesh Reddy’s comments, provoking Hindus to have more children, reflect personal views. If the government wants to promote such activity in the national interest, that's a different matter," the Congress MP said.

He added that as a responsible elected representative, Reddy should not provoke people in the name of caste.

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Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday directed officials to take scientific and immediate measures to curb the problem of wild animals straying into human habitats.

The directive came after a tiger killed four people and livestock in Mysuru district over the past month.

The chief minister said the issue must be handled with urgency and guided by evidence-based solutions.

At a meeting with senior forest department officials, Siddaramaiah asked, "Why are tigers and elephants coming out of the forest? Give a scientific reason."

He emphasised, "There is an urgent need to find an effective solution through a scientific approach," and suggested concrete remedial measures.

A statement issued by the CMO said Siddaramaiah instructed the department to fill water pits inside forests, remove lantana, and grow grass to ensure adequate food and water sources within forest areas.

He also directed continuous monitoring of elephant and tiger movements and said a separate meeting would be convened to prevent conflicts between wild animals and humans.

Officers must conduct a comprehensive study on causes and solutions, he added.

The statement said officials informed Siddaramaiah that a helpline had already been opened and that work was underway to set up a command centre to strengthen response mechanisms.

The CM also instructed officers to act conscientiously in matters related to tribal hamlets and forest dwellers.

He enquired whether drinking water and electricity were being adequately provided to tribal settlements and urged officials to ensure their welfare.

When MLA Anil Chikkamadu highlighted that man-animal conflicts had increased in HD Kote due to a lack of coordination between forest officers, Siddaramaiah warned that strict action would be taken if human lives were lost.