‘Some asked why doesn’t he just die, cyberattacks continued even after his death’ 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan said campaigns on social media against actor Salim Kumar continued even after his death. He termed it as unfortunate that such incidents are happening in Kerala. Speaking to the media after the cabinet meet, Satheesan said that when Salim Kumar was seriously ill, some people had posted comments on social media asking, ‘Why don’t he just die?’ He said those behind it should be identified.

‘Large numbers of social media content creators and media personnel gathered at Salim Kumar’s house. I myself became angry because it created a situation where official honours could not be properly paid and family members found it difficult to perform the last rites. It was a very distressing situation. I was the first to react and asked them to move aside. Not only that, Salim Kumar was subjected to a massive attack on social media while he was ill.

‘Even after his death, cyberattacks against him continued. He was a national award-winning actor who brought joy and laughter to countless Malayalees. Yet, terrible campaigns were carried out against him online. Who is behind all this? Everyone has political views, but targeting a person who is seriously ill because of politics is unacceptable. Such cyberattacks do not reflect the values of Kerala. The people of Kerala will recognize that,’ he said.

Satheesan also stated that the government would study the court order granting anticipatory bail to the former chief minister’s gunmen in the Alappuzha rescue-operation case and decide on further legal steps. He further remarked that it is harder to make the CPM realize that they have been defeated than to actually defeat the party.