CPI(M) leader P Jayarajan condemns online attacks against Mammootty, says Wayanad visit issue ‘resolved long ago’
Mammootty | Photo credit: special arrangement
CPI(M) state secretariat member P. Jayarajan condemned the online attacks on actor Mammootty and leaders of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students Federation of India (SFI) who visited him recently, saying the row over the Wayanad township visit had been “settled amicably long ago”.
In a post on social media, Mr. Jayarajan said the attempt to revive an “old misunderstanding” and use it to abuse and target the actor was driven by vested interests. He claimed that the issue regarding Mammootty and CPI(M) Wayanad District Secretary K. Rafeeq was settled by discussion at that time and that their friendship was well known to the public.
“Mammootty does not belong to the boundaries of any political party but is a public figure who is respected by people across Kerala. His interactions and friendships should not be judged through political divisions,” Mr. Jayarajan said.
He also defended the DYFI and SFI leaders who visited Mammootty on his invitation, saying that turning the meeting into a controversy reflected a narrow political outlook.
Mr. Jayarajan noted that student and youth organizations “have earned recognition at the national level for their struggle for democracy and against saffron” and described Mammootty’s willingness to meet their leaders as recognition of their work.
The controversy erupted after Mammootty visited the Wayanad model district built for survivors of the 2024 Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in March 2026. During the visit, the actor was reportedly seen on video asking Mr. Rafeeq not to stay next to him as people might assume the visit was organized on behalf of the party.
The footage sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with some left-leaning accounts targeting the actor. Mr. Rafeeq subsequently clarified that Mammootty had personally contacted him to explain his remarks and urged people to end the controversy.
Mr Jayarajan said launching personal attacks and claiming to represent the Left was “against Left politics”. He warned against attempts to create misunderstandings and provide opportunities for political opponents to take advantage of the situation.
Emphasizing the cultural values of the Left, Mr. Jayarajan said that respect for art and the status of artists are an integral part of communist culture. He urged those misled by the fake campaigns to back off and called for an end to online attacks against the actor.
Published – 29 Oct 2026 16:12 IST