The backlash against Malayalam film personalities who have expressed support for the student-led protests over NEET paper leaks continued to intensify on Wednesday, with actor Tovino Thomas facing a demonstration outside his residence and Vismaya Mohanlal coming under sustained online abuse over her social media post.
Eight BJP Yuva Morcha workers staged a protest outside Tovino's residence in Irinjalakuda, objecting to the actor's public support for the students protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Holding placards, the demonstrators accused the Mayaanadhi actor of selectively speaking out on public issues, with one placard questioning why he had not voiced support for protesters demonstrating outside the Kerala Secretariat over issues concerning the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC).
The protest followed Tovino's statement on Tuesday condemning the police action against the students. Calling it "certainly not the way to handle a peaceful protest", the ARM actor questioned what the students had done to deserve such treatment and reiterated that "the right to dissent is not a threat to democracy; in fact, it is one of its foundations". He concluded his post by stating, "My politics is humanity. My belief is peace. Jai Hind."
Meanwhile, Vismaya Mohanlal, who is set to make her acting debut with Thudakkam, has continued to face cyber attacks after sharing an Instagram Story questioning the authorities' response to the protests. Her post referred to tear gas, lathi charges, injuries to students, road closures, metro station closures and internet suspension before asking, "Do you genuinely believe this is how a democracy should respond to its own citizens?" She also argued that one need not agree with the protesters' demands to question the use of force against them.
Soon after the post was shared, Vismaya's social media accounts were flooded with abusive comments. Several users criticised her for taking a political stand before the release of her debut film. In contrast, others branded her "anti-national", called for a boycott of Thudakkam, and posted derogatory remarks directed at both Vismaya and her father, veteran actor Mohanlal. Neither Vismaya nor Mohanlal has responded publicly to the online attacks.
The latest developments come amid an unprecedented wave of support from the Malayalam film industry for the ongoing protests. Along with Tovino and Vismaya, actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Dulquer Salmaan, Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Naslen, Nazriya Nazim, Anaswara Rajan, Shane Nigam, Nikhila Vimal, Soubin Shahir, Rajisha Vijayan, Indrajith Sukumaran and several others have publicly expressed solidarity with the protesting students, while also drawing criticism from sections of social media over their stance.
