The Congress party in Kerala faces fresh embarrassment as Youth Congress leader and party spokesperson Jinto John came under fire for making a remark against Lord Krishna during a television channel discussion. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused him of blasphemy, demanding a public apology from both John and the Congress.
The controversy erupted during a debate on alleged cyberbullying targeting CPI(M) leader K J Shine and MLA Unnikrishnan. In the course of the discussion, John stated, “Everyone living in Kerala is sensible. In Kerala, “Unnikrishnan” is a term commonly used to describe people involved in immoral behaviour.”
Kerala Congress spokesperson Jinto John on live TV shamelessly said, “all who commit adultery are called Unni Krishnan (Little Krishna).”
One after another, Congress leaders spit venom on Hindu gods and mock the faith – because in Congress, insulting Sanatan and abusing deities… pic.twitter.com/FsBU6aBjqx
— BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) September 20, 2025
Following the backlash, John expressed regret, calling it an accidental slip during the heated exchange. “It occurred in the middle of an argument with the channel anchor,” he said. However, KPCC president Sunny Joseph clarified that the question of disciplinary action had not yet reached him.
This is not the first time John has faced controversy. CPM leaders had earlier boycotted him in channel discussions after his reported defamatory post against K J Shine. Within the Congress too, discontent has been brewing over the conduct of certain Youth Congress leaders, who are accused of repeatedly putting the leadership in a difficult position.
The latest episode, involving a statement construed as disrespect towards Lord Krishna, has intensified criticism. The BJP charged that the remark was an expression of deep-seated hostility towards the Hindu faith. According to its leaders, John’s words reflected Hindu hatred and were consistent with what they described as the Congress party’s “history of Hindumesia and attacks on the beliefs of the majority population.”
While John has insisted his comment was unintended, political observers believe the controversy is likely to haunt the Congress in Kerala in the days to come.
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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