Actors, activists rally behind Prithviraj against right-wing's targeting

Kochi: Actor Prithviraj has become the focal point of outrage over his support for ongoing protests against the administration in Lakshadweep. A post allegedly insulting the actor was published on the official Facebook page of Janam TV, claiming that he only cared for what the channel termed 'jihadis'. The controversial post was later withdrawn after massive backlash from social media.

"Prithviraj should display some of the manhood his father displayed. If anyone remembers his father, the actor Sukumaran, when they see Prithviraj barking for anti-national forces then that is an insult to fatherhood itself. Prithviraj should not shame his father's memory in front of others for the sake of his career," the deleted post titled "Prithviraj Sheds Tears for Jihadis Again" reads.

Slamming the post against Prithviraj, former Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress, said that Prithviraj said what any humane person wanted to say. "We should keep close people like Prithviraj who speak out against Sangh Parivar without fear. He disturbed the peace of those who hindered the peaceful existence of a population he loved. What he did is politically righteous," said Ramesh Chennithala.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP TN Prathapan said, "Sanghis are afraid of those with opinions. There will be fake propaganda and abuses all around... Solidarity to artist Prithviraj who stood on humanity's side for the people of the islands."

Former Minister and MLA, Kadakampally Surendran said, "Fascists have always adopted the method of suppressing dissent through intimidation and violence. But they have never succeeded in history. Strongly condemns the Sangh Parivar's attack on Prithviraj for declaring support for the people of Lakshadweep."

Actor Aju Varghese amongst many others also supported Prithviraj.

"When one speaks with clarity, slander is not the answer. Let controversies move away and let there be a dialogue," the actor wrote on Instagram.

In his Facebook post, Prithviraj had asked how disrupting the way people's lives can be accepted in the name of 'progress'.

"What I do know for sure though, is that none of the islanders I know, or none of those who've spoken to me are happy with what's happening. I strongly believe that any law, reform or amendment should never be for the land, but for the people of the land...How does disrupting the way of life of a centuries-old peaceful settlement become an acceptable means of progress? How will threatening the balance of a very delicate island ecosystem with no regard for the potential consequences pave the way for sustainable development?" the post shared on Instagram read.

Lakshadweep natives and Indians have been protesting the Indian government's efforts to develop large-scale tourist industries in the ecologically sensitive region as well as administrator Praful Patel's regime which has introduced what the islander's term "draconian" regulations. These regulations, including seizing land in the name of development as well as silencing protests by arrests under the Goonda Act, as well as a purported ban on non-vegetarian food in the region have elicited mass protests.