Pearle Maaney has been receiving much criticism from netizens for her stance in student protests over NEET paper leaks around the country. Recently, the actor-interview host put out a post where she not only expressed her concern for students who got beaten up during their protests but also made some comments that courted controversy. "Please don't get hurt. Please stay safe. If your life is in danger, go back home. No cause is worth losing a life over. Every student is someone's child. Someone's dream. Someone's entire world," Pearle Maaney wrote on Instagram.
She added, "I hope that the original purpose of this movement is never overshadowed. Whenever any movement grows this large, emotions run high, different voices emerge, and the conversation can become more complex. My hope is that the focus always remains on the students and the future they are asking us tol build. I believe in the right to peaceful expression. I do not believe in violence-no matter who it comes from."
The post features a saffron shade in it, and Pearle Maaney openly said that saffron is her favourite colour, hinting at her allegiance with the BJP. Netizens read Pearle Maaney's comment about the source of 'violence' as her insinuation about students and/or those who are part of the Cockroach Janta Party having something to do with the violence against the government. For the unversed, there has been a narrative that students also acted violently during the protest, damaging government property in the process.
Meanwhile, Pearle Maaney also hit out at Sibi Malayil's son, Joe Malayil, after he questioned her stance and described her 'advice' to students as "peak stupidity". In response, Joe Malayil alleged that Pearle described her father, the legendary Sibi Malayil, as "a failed filmmaker".
Netizens came down so hard on Pearle Maaney for her opinion in the issue that she had to turn off the comments under her post. "The comments section is a reflection of my freedom of speech," she wrote, triggering more criticism against the actor-interviewer.
One of her vocal critics has been actor Mareena Michael Kurisingal. Taking to her Instagram, Mareena shared a post that virtually confirmed the speculation that Pearle once declined to interview her, claiming she was not popular enough for it. "You once told me, 'I didn't even know you existed.' That's okay. Recognition isn't the measure of a person's worth. And ironically, today we're having this conversation because your own words made people pay attention—not to who I am, but to how you chose to respond," Mareena wrote.
The actor also questioned Pearle for turning off the comments section and blocked some users who criticised her for her stance. "Public figures enjoy influence because the public gives it to them. That influence comes with responsibility. If you choose to speak on matters affecting society, you should also be willing to hear disagreement without labelling, mocking or personally targeting those who question you," Mareena wrote.
She added, "Deleting a post doesn't erase the words that were written. Blocking critics doesn't make criticism disappear. It simply creates an echo chamber where only praise is allowed. Leadership is not measured by how loudly you speak when everyone agrees with you. It is measured by how calmly and honestly you respond when people disagree."