Andhra Pradesh: Ration card bearing Jesus Christ's photo sparks row, government links it to TDP

The Andhra Pradesh government said that the rational dealer's husband is a "die-hard TDP fan" and not a converted Christian

Amravati: A ration card bearing the image of Jesus Christ which has surfaced on the internet sparked a row in Andhra Pradesh with social media users linking its origins to the state.

The Andhra Pradesh government, however, refuted the claims and said that the kin of a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) member did so to "promote propaganda".

In an official statement, the state government said: "Ration dealer's husband, who is a TDP member from Vadlamuru village, had printed Jesus Christ's picture on the ration cards and intentionally promoted the propaganda."

The government said that the rational dealer's husband is a "die-hard TDP fan" and not a converted Christian.

"Previously, in 2016, the same person had printed Sai Baba's picture on the ration cards, Lord Balaji's photo in 2017 and 2018, and Jesus Christ picture in 2019," the government said.

The civil supplies department officials will take action on this issue of misconduct, it assured.