Kerala BJP candidate’s communally motivated remarks spark row, EC seeks report
Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leader and Kerala Assembly poll candidate PK Krishnadas has sparked a political row over his controversial “love-jihad” remarks during an election campaign, prompting the Election Commission to direct the Thiruvananthapuram district collector to submit a report.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Krishnadas, campaigning in Kattakada, claimed that a victory for either the Left Democratic Front (LDF) or the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the state elections would lead to incidents of “love jihad” in Kerala. He further alleged that organisations such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaat-e-Islami would influence or control any government formed by the LDF or UDF.
Krishnadas also claimed that girls from Hindu and Christian families would be targeted and “recruited under the guise of ‘love jihad’ for anti-national activities in Kerala.” He added: “When fronts led by Marxists and Congress come to power, who will actually control the government? It will be Pakistan-friendly anti-national groups.”
The remarks sparked a major political row in the state. Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar directed the Thiruvananthapuram district collector to examine the Krishnadas’s speech and submit a report. The SDPI Kattakada constituency committee has also filed a police complaint, calling the statements “communally motivated hate speech.”
Responding to the backlash, Krishnadas defended his remarks, asserting that his views were consistent with the BJP’s ideological position. He said he would respond legally if the poll body seeks an explanation.
The comments follow earlier controversial statements by BJP leaders during the Kerala campaign. Indian Minister Shobha Karandlaje alleged the state was witnessing not only “love jihad” but also “business jihad” and “land jihad,” while BJP candidate and former DGP R. Sreelekha also referenced “love jihad,” which critics said attempts to disrupt Kerala’s religious harmony.
Kerala will hold its Assembly elections in a single phase on Thursday, with counting scheduled for May 4.
It is noteworthy that making Islamophobic remarks have become a recurring feature of BJP election campaigns, both at the state and national levels. Party leaders often resort to spreading fear and communal narratives to polarize voters along religious lines. The objective is to consolidate the Hindu vote by portraying Muslims and Muslim organizations as threats to India, while stoking communal tensions.
