KS Radhakrishnan, the BJP-NDA candidate form Alappuzha district, Kerala, has asked actors “from Mammootty to Fahadh Faasil” to respond to the Sri Lankan Easter Sunday attacks. His statement created a row on social media.
On Saturday, he wrote a post on Facebook condemning the silence of artists, demanding an explanation from the top actors. “I’m astonished in our community not coming forward to react to this unpardonable gruesome crime. All people irrespective of left or right, writers, socio-cultural artists must come forward to condemn the attack. I would like to know what actors from Mammootty to Fahadh Fazil would have to say about the incident,” according to a report by Mathrubhumi.
KS Radhakrishnan was the chairman of Kerala Public Services Commission, and a supporter of the Congress for years before he joined BJP in March 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections which took place on April 23 in the state.
His statement has created a stir on social media. People called him out saying that the member of a party that has been violent on several occasions cannot ask such questions. Comments said that the minister was asking Fahadh and Mammootty to respond only because they were Muslims, and he didn’t ask Suresh Gopi, who is an actor and BJP member, or Mohanlal, who has hinted affiliation to the BJP.
Others said that demanding such explanations from actors was completely new to Kerala politics.
Can you imagine this? BJP Lok Sabha candidate KS Radhakrishnan demanded an explanation from our beloved actors Mammootty and Fahadh for the Sri Lanka terror attack. This kinda shit politics is completely alien to Kerala! pic.twitter.com/i0VpRacwfd
— Sankar Das (@mallucomrade) April 28, 2019
In case you wondered why KS Radhakrishnan joined BJP, the answer lies in front of you today. Wonder how many more very very neutral intellects will be there in Kerala harbouring such prejudices within them. Hope they join BJP asap
— Weed (@goonerblues) April 28, 2019
Silverscreen contacted the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), and are awaiting official responses.
Meanwhile, many celebrities from the south have condemned the terror attacks. Actor Radhika Sarathkumar tweeted her shock, saying she was at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo just before it was bombed. Actors Dulquer Salman, Kamal Haasan, Prakash Raj, Samantha, Amala Paul and others reacted.
OMG bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, god be with all. I just left Colombo Cinnamongrand hotel and it has been bombed, can’t believe this shocking.
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) April 21, 2019
Heartbroken about the attacks in Sri Lanka ! One of my favourite countries to visit and have in fact stayed in some of the places that were attacked. Can't imagine what the people and the families of the victims are going through. Prayers and thoughts with the people of #SriLanka
— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) April 21, 2019
Blasts in Srilanka as people are praying…. This HATE… THESE UGLY ACTS OF MAJORITARIANISM will consume US..HUMANITY one day…dear CITIZENS this is why we need to BE AWARE and BE CAREFUL and CONDEMN all the BIGOTS who are sowing hatered .and dividing us in our society today.
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 21, 2019
Disturbing news about the blasts in #Srilanka … praying for the safety of my dear brothers and sisters in Colombo ?? this world truly needs a resurrection on the whole!
— Shweta Mohan (@_ShwetaMohan_) April 21, 2019
Sri Lanka has been on high alert since the attacks on Easter Sunday. The blasts have killed 290 people and injured over 500. The government said that a local organisation named National Thowheed Jamath carried out eight explosions across the three cities. 24 people were arrested in connection with the blast, and are currently being questioned by the CID. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that his government received intel about the attack but many ministers were not told about it. An inquiry has been set up to probe this, media reports said.
Image Courtesy: English Mathrubhumi
