Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister VD Satheesan has strongly condemned the vicious cyber attacks directed at National Award-winning actor Salim Kumar on social media. He said that while the beloved actor was battling for his life on a ventilator, some people circulated cruel comments saying, "Why don't you just die?" on social media.

Satheesan questioned what wrong the actor had done to deserve such a campaign and asked whether such behaviour was worthy of Kerala's society.

"Artists and cultural figures, like everyone else, have their own political views. Launching cyber attacks against someone who is critically ill and fighting for life on a ventilator because of their politics is not acceptable in Kerala," he said. He added that such attacks are politically motivated and urged society to recognise the cruelty of targeting a person during a medical crisis.

He also expressed concern over the conduct of certain individuals who appear under the guise of social media journalists during the death of celebrities. Referring to the situation at Salim Kumar's residence, Satheesan said the crowd had become so overwhelming that family members were unable to perform the last rites peacefully. He recalled that he had personally intervened, asking people to step aside and allow the family to carry out the funeral rituals without disruption.