Prithviraj vs BJP IT Cell?: 'Save Lakshadweep' campaign gets louder as Mollywood reacts to cyber-attack against actor

Malayalam actor Prithviraj is at loggerheads with BJP supporters on social media. Following the 'Koode' actor's decision to back the #SaveLakshadweep campaign against the new law reforms introduced by Administrator Praful Patel on the island, he fell victim to an organised cyber-attack. Later, BJP leaders in Kerala also condemned the actor's post publicly, giving the incident a clearer political colour. However, several politicians and Prithviraj's colleagues from the film industry along with thousands of social media users have now launched a counter-campaign in support of the actor and the people of Lakshadweep.

Updated on:

28 May 2021, 11:48 am

2 min read

Prithviraj on May 24 had come forward in support of the 'Save Lakshadweep' campaign against the new law reforms introduced by Administrator Praful Patel including stopping schools from serving non-vegetarian food in their canteens and destroying sheds and local institutions set up to help the fishing community in the island.

Prithviraj, whose 2015 super hit movie 'Anarkali' was shot in Lakshadweep, took to Twitter and Facebook to express his solidarity with the islanders.

'I strongly believe that any law, reform or amendment should never be for the land, but for the people of the land. It’s never the geographical or political boundary that makes a country, state or a union territory but the people who live there. 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 actor asked.

Prithviraj post has so far been shared by over 28,000 people. The viral post got over '225K' Likes on Facebook alone.

Soon, all hell broke loose. BJP national vice president AP Abdullakutty was among the first to question Prithviraj's intentions and accused the actor of fabricating fake stories about Lakshadweep while living in Kerala. The former CPM, Congress politician said the UT requires no saving from the actor and added that non-veg food was banned from schools alone and BJP is targeting the development of the island. (File Photos)

Later, Janam TV, a pro-BJP Malayalam news channel published an online article titled 'Prithviraj cries for Jihadis again' and shared it on their official Facebook page. (Photo | Facebook)

According to Desabhimani, the article was authored by Janam TV Editor GK Suresh and mentioned Prithviraj's late father Sukumaran multiple times. The strongly-worded 'personal attack' against Prithviraj in the article angered the Malayalam film industry and social media community so much that it was later taken down from the channel website. (Photos | Facebook)

BJP's cyber wing had however amplified the article across social media platform and launched a scathing attack against the actor. This resulted in many Malayalam actors, politicians and fans coming out in support of the actor -- condemning the hate campaign against him. (File Photo)

Actor Aju Varghese: When someone makes an opinion with such clarity, insult can't be the response. Let debates replace controversies!

Director Jude Anthany Joseph: 'Prithviraj is a man who has always been very open about his views. He is a man who responded to the mob attacks. He will be laughing at all these cyber attacks that are taking place now.'