Actor Biju Menon who spoke in support of his colleague actor Suresh Gopi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in the Thrissur Constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections has been subjected to backlash and trolling on his social media account.
Biju Menon, who has acted alongside the BJP candidate in a number of popular Malayalam flicks had attended the latter’s election campaign at the Lulu convention centre in Thrissur on April 17.
Speaking at the event, Biju said “It’s our blessing that we got Suresh Gopi gopi in Thrissur. Wishing him success. We should all stand with him and support him. And I promise you, that he will also stand with us.”
Soon after this, the Facebook page of Biju Menon started getting flooding with comments branding him as a “Sanghi”, a term used to refer to a BJP or a Right-wing sympathiser.
From his most recent post on Facebook to his older posts are witnessing angry reactions and criticism.
Under a post put up by the actor where he is offered his best wishes to recently married actor Sunny Wayne, a user commented saying, “Suresh Gopi might be your colleague. But today, he is representing a communal party which is creating communal discord and inciting violence. A person who supports such a man, will also have a poisonous mind like theirs.”
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Another user commented under the same post saying, “I would like to convey my protest against you for supporting a candidate of an organisation like RSS which always stands against the minorities. This protest will always remain in my mind.”
The posts put up by the actor promoting his latest movie, “Mera Naam Shaji” was also not spared as comments criticising him kept pouring in.
A user, under a post about his movie commented, “You still have time to rectify your mistake. But if you’re still adamant about supporting a man who spreads communalism, then we have only one thing to say - don’t come crying when people stop going to the theatre to see your movies.”
Most of the comments were by people who claimed they were “once” a fan of Biju Menon but have now lost their respect for the man.
Responding to the criticism faced by Biju Menon, Suresh Gopi on Saturday told Asianet News, “How many stars supported film actors during their campaign for the assembly elections? No one has any problem for that. Biju Menon never even asked votes for me. I will question this. This is atrocious.”
“A colleague who is like a brother to me can’t speak for me but others can get support. This is not done. I will support Biju at any cost,” Suresh Gopi added.