"No intent to insult": CPM Leader K Rafeeq clears the air after Mammootty’s Wayanad township visit
KALPETTA: CPM District Secretary K. Rafeeq has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his meeting with actor Mammootty during a visit to a township built for Wayanad disaster victims. Rafeeq explained on social media that the situation was a misunderstanding blown out of proportion by certain media outlets and right-wing cyber centres.
According to Rafeeq, he approached Mammootty to manage the crowd and ensure the actor wasn't disturbed. Mammootty privately expressed concern that this intervention might be misinterpreted by others. Rafeeq noted that while it is standard practice for public servants to welcome visitors, he respects Mammootty’s perspective on how the gesture could be perceived.
Full version of Facebook post
It is a matter of joy for everyone that the great Malayalam actor has come to the township prepared for the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster victims. When Mammootty arrived there, I intervened cautiously as a public servant who was there for another event, so that the crowd and noise there would not disturb Mammootty. Mammootty shared with me his concern that such interventions might be misunderstood. As a public servant, it is always our custom to welcome those who come to the township if we are there. But I understand that he indicated that it might be read in a different light. Today, Mammootty called me in person and clarified these matters.
It is understood that some media and right-wing cyber centres spreading the concern that Mammootty expressed to me in a very personal way during the township visit is what escalated the issue to this level.
I respect the intentions of all those who have responded emotionally to this issue. But I would like to kindly request everyone not to let these controversies grow to the point of diminishing the brilliance of a government's intervention that is based on willpower, humanity and love for fellow beings and can be a model for the whole world.
The arrival of Mammootty, who we all hold dear to our hearts as a favourite Malayali actor, should be discussed only in a very positive way. Everyone wants the controversies to end here. Mammootty is a great Malayali. He has made it clear to me in person that he did not intentionally try to insult me. I would like to request everyone to see this issue in that light and to end all the arguments and counterarguments related to it. If we realise that the smiles of our loved ones whose lives have been disrupted by tragedy are what we cherish most, what prevents us from setting aside our sorrows and arguments and standing together?