Keralam CM condemns cyber-attacks on late actor Salim Kumar

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday condemned the vile cyber-attacks directed at National Award-winning late actor Salim Kumar on social media.

He said such attacks were unacceptable and unbecoming of the state.

The CM said that while the beloved actor was battling for his life on a ventilator, some people circulated cruel comments saying, “Why don’t you just die?” on social media.

Satheesan questioned what wrong the actor had done to deserve such a campaign and asked whether such behaviour was worthy of Keralam’s society.

“Artists and cultural figures, like everyone else, have their own political views. Launching cyber-attacks against someone who is critically ill and fighting for life on a ventilator because of their politics is not acceptable in Keralam,” he said.

He added that such attacks are politically motivated and urged society to recognise the cruelty of targeting a person during a medical crisis. The CM said those responsible for the campaign would eventually realise the gravity of their actions.

He also expressed concern over the conduct of certain individuals who appear as ‘social media journalists’ during death of celebrities.

Referring to the situation at Salim Kumar’s residence, Satheesan said the crowd had become so overwhelming that family members were unable to perform last rites peacefully. He recalled that he had personally intervened, asking people to step aside and allow the family to carry out the funeral rituals without disruption.

Salim Kumar died while undergoing treatment for pneumonia at a private hospital in Kochi on Saturday night. He was 56.