BJP leader deletes past anti-Muslim post targeting Mammootty

Thrissur: BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan has deleted a Facebook post targeting actor Mammootty and other film personalities, published in November 2025, following the actor's recent visit to his residence. The post had singled out Muslim-named personalities among the recipients of the Kerala State Film Awards.

Gopalakrishnan had included photographs and names of Mammootty, best actress award winner Shamla Hamza, special jury mention recipient Asif Ali and cinematographer Shyju Khalid, among others, making communal insinuations about the award selections.

Mammootty visited Gopalakrishnan's home on Sunday to congratulate his daughter and son-in-law on their wedding, which he could not attend at Guruvayur on November 1. Videos of the visit circulated on social media, drawing criticism from some users.

Gopalakrishnan condemned the online criticism and said friendships should transcend political and religious differences. However, the contrast between his public defence of friendship and the old post targeting Mammootty drew attention. He subsequently removed the post.

Senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac said those criticising Mammootty did not represent the party and were not its activists. He said Mammootty shared close ties with the Left and the party wanted the relationship to continue. Former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among the political leaders who attended the wedding.

Gopalakrishnan has previously faced controversy over remarks suggesting that only Muslim candidates were becoming MLAs in Guruvayur. He also wrote an article titled “The Christian Lobby's Crusade” in the RSS mouthpiece Kesari, accusing the Catholic Church of using its agitation against the Kasturirangan report to undermine the Gadgil report on Western Ghats conservation.