'This is not journalism': Supriya Menon reacts to chaos at Salim Kumar's funeral

The visuals of Chandu, actor Salim Kumar's son, losing his temper and shouting at the crowd during his father's funeral have sparked widespread discussion on social media. Chandu was seen expressing his frustration as large numbers of people, including members of online media carrying mobile phones and cameras, gathered at the funeral venue, creating a situation that became difficult for both the police and family members to manage.

The incident has since drawn reactions from several public figures. Among them was producer and media professional Supriya Menon, wife of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who shared her thoughts on Instagram.

In a note posted to her Instagram Story, Supriya criticised the conduct of sections of the online media present at the funeral. She said the behaviour witnessed at the ceremony could not be described as journalism, but rather as voyeurism.

Supriya's note
Yet again a family trying to say bye to their loved one, a moment that is fraught with heartbreaking grief & pain. But here again there is a collection of cameras and mics jostling to get this final goodbye in close-up, like vultures flying closer & closer to their prey. The son shouting to get some space, asking them to move back, to cry in peace. What have we become? This voyeuristic urge to consume everything in real time, abandoning all sense of propriety & decorum. Let people grieve in peace, they have enough pain as it is. There ought to be some self-restraint & course correction. This isn't journalism; it's voyeurism!Lurid & Vulgar.