Over the past 24 hours, Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi’s Facebook page has been flooded with comments from people from Kerala, both supporting him and criticising him. The reason? The actor, known as the “Makkal Selvan” of Tamil cinema, in a recent interview said that he is a “big fan” of the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and that the stand taken by Pinarayi Vijayan in the Sabarimala issue was correct.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, the Vikram-Vedha actor who was recently in Kerala’s Alappuzha district for a film shoot questioned the validity of the argument that portrays women as “impure” because of their menstrual cycle. He is also reported to have said that, “the Chief Minister is right on the Sabarimala issue. I don't understand why there is so much ruckus about it.”
He was also quoted to have said that, “women have to bear certain pain every month. We all know why it happens every month. It is much easier to be a man and people should understand it.”
The Supreme Court verdict on September 28, 2018 allowing the entry of women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple has literally divided the state of Kerala on religious and political lines and several devotees and pro hindu groups had taken to the streets to protest against the verdict.
As expected, the above statements made by Vijay did not go down well with the a certain section of people, some of whom claimed they were his fans earlier but will not watch his movies hereafter.
“Before expressing your views on Sabarimala issue, find sometime to study about the history and beliefs of the temple. Majority of Keralites are hating our hitler CM Pinarayi Vijayan for the Sabarimala issue,” commented a user on one the actor’s Facebook posts.
There were also a lot of users questioning the actor as to whether he would support the SC verdict on banning Jallikattu. “No one should fail to see that innocent mind of actor Vijay Sethupathi who stood against the SC verdict on Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and his support for an atheist CM over the Sabarimala issue in Kerala. He is an actor who would do anything to get applause,” commented one user.
Most of the outrage against the actor revolved along the lines that he should just stick to acting and not interfere in matters he is not familiar with or by referring to him as a “commie”, a word used to call someone a communist. There seems to have been an organised campaign by groups as many users had posted the same comments and used same hashtags like #SaveSabarimala.
On the other hand, the actor also received support from another section of the social media users, most of whom used hashtags to support Pinarayi Vijayan.
“He is someone who came from the lower strata of the society.. Respect to our Makkal Selvan for upholding progressive values and for accepting the laws of the highest court of the country,” commented a user.
Another user said, “first, he earned our respect through his acting, then he earned our respect through his stand on the Sabarimala issue. #WeSupportVijaySethupathi.”
Some users also challenged the right wing activists to go to Tamil Nadu and troll the actor.
As per the TNIE report, Vijay also recalled an experience of having shared a stage with the Kerala CM during a television show. "There was pin-drop silence when everyone saw him walking in," Vijay said.
The actor also went on to say, “He overheard me saying that my flight leaves at 10 and asked me why don't I speak first. I was surprised. I wonder even an MLA or MP would be co-operative like that.”
The actor also expressed his gratitude to Pinarayi Vijayan for donating Rs 10 crore to Tamil Nadu relief fund after the Cyclone Gaja, despite Kerala dealing with the floods.