Most of the victims of political violence in the State belong to Dalit and backward communities, says the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister

Love jihad is a reality in Kerala, according to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

At a press conference held on the sidelines of the Janaraksha Yatra led by BJP State president Kummanam Rajashekharan in Kannur on Wednesday, Mr. Adityanath called upon the State government to take steps to control the problem.

The National Investigative Agency (NIA) had found that love jihad was a reality in Kerala. Karnataka also had this problem, he said.

Nearly a 1,000 people had died of fever, including chikungunya, in this State. This reflected the State of administration in Kerala, he said.

Referring to incidents of political violence in the State, he said such incidents should be condemned. Most of the victims of belonged to Dalit and backward communities. The Janaraksha Yatra was to ensure the safety of people. The Pinarayi Vijayan government had failed to ensure law and order, he added.

Mr. Rajashekharan said the BJP was for politics of peace, harmony and co-existence.