The Thiruvananthapuram district collector has been directed to file a report on controversial statements by PK Krishnadas at a recent rally
NEW DELHI — The political pot in Kerala is boiling, and the Election Commission of India has chosen to stir it up on Monday. PK Krishnadas, the candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kattakada, is under the scanner for some seriously inflammatory remarks. He reportedly claimed that if rival alliances win, “love jihad” incidents could spike in the state.
On Monday, the poll panel wasted no time, demanding a full report from the Thiruvananthapuram district collector about Krishnadas’s controversial statements at a recent rally. This move comes as campaign speeches are facing intense scrutiny with elections just around the corner.
Officials are also mulling over legal opinions to see if these remarks cross the line, particularly regarding hate speech and maintaining communal harmony – cornerstones of election rules.
During a fiery Sunday rally, the BJP candidate painted a grim picture: if the Left Democratic Front or the United Democratic Front takes the reins, organisations like the Social Democratic Party of India and Jamaat-e-Islami would, he alleged, pull the strings of governance. He then doubled down, claiming Hindu and Christian girls could be targeted and “recruited under the guise of ‘love jihad’ for anti-national activities.”
Now, “love jihad” itself is a term steeped in controversy, largely seen as a conspiracy theory championed by Hindutva groups. Even the Union government has clarified in Parliament that Indian law doesn’t recognise such a concept.
Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar confirmed the matter is under the microscope, promising “appropriate action” once the report is thoroughly reviewed.
Interestingly, the rally where these remarks were made also had Union Home Minister Amit Shah in attendance, though Krishnadas reportedly dropped these contentious claims after Shah had already departed.
Unfazed by the brewing storm, Krishnadas is sticking to his guns. He has defended his statement, insisting it wasn’t aimed at any religion and that he stands by every word. He even added a defiant note, saying he’s ready to face any legal queries from the Election Commission head-on.
However, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP’s Kerala state chief, distanced the party from the statement, saying the party does not endorse such views.
