Actor Mammootty faces cyberattack for comments on CPM leader

Kozhikode: Actor Mammootty faced severe cyberattack from Left-leaning social media handles after expressing his displeasure over CPM Wayanad district secretary K Rafeeq repeatedly accompanying him during his private visit to the township at Elstone Estate for landslide survivors in Wayanad on Saturday.On learning about the actor's visit, Rafeeq and some local party activists joined him while he walked around the township. Rafeeq was also seen asking the crowd to make way for the actor. As he continued walking alongside him, Mammootty reportedly said, "Why are you always standing next to me? People will think I came here for you. Please move aside."Though the remark was made during a brief conversation with Rafeeq, it was captured on video and it soon went viral on social media. Several Left-aligned cyber handles criticized the actor, saying that insulting Rafeeq, who was active in relief efforts, was a wrong move.The issue soon turned into a political row, with Congress leaders condemning Left's cyberattack on Mammootty. Congress leader Cherian Philip described the cyberattack as violent and brutal, adding that Mammootty had only objected when party leaders tried to turn his visit into a propaganda opportunity.Philip said CPM's criticism stemmed from Mammootty saying that the township in Wayanad was built using public funds contributed by the people of Kerala. The controversy put CPM in a delicate position as Rafeeq is a district secretary while Mammootty has long-standing ties with party leaders, including his association with Kairali TV.PWD minister P A Mohammed Riyas defended Rafeeq, saying CPM district secretaries do not gatecrash events while describing the actor as someone who has always supported humanitarian initiatives.To end the controversy, Rafeeq said that Mammootty had called him and wrote on Facebook that the actor's visit should be viewed positively. Rafeeq claimed he happened to be at the site for another programme and intervened only to manage the crowd so the actor would not face inconvenience. He said Mammootty had expressed concerns that such actions might be misinterpreted.Rafeeq alleged that some media outlets and right-wing social media groups had portrayed the private conversation as a personal insult, escalating the controversy. He urged everyone to end the debate and focus on the rehabilitation of the families.Meanwhile in Kochi, industries minister P Rajeeve tried to defuse the controversy, saying the actor's visit brought more visibility to the township project. "Kerala extends special thanks to him for visiting the township. Mammootty's desire to visit the township in Wayanad, despite his busy schedule, sets a great example for the world," he said."Mammootty spoke about Perumbalam Bridge, sharing old memories and discussing the changes, inclusivity and development. His visit and words helped bring attention to Wayanad township and Perumbalam Bridge," he said, while urging the media not to incite attacks based on anyone's comments.