Malayalam Celebrities Back KPSC Job Seekers Following Criticism Over Selective Activism
Malayalam film and television personalities have extended their support to Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) job aspirants protesting in Thiruvananthapuram. The move comes after several public figures faced online criticism for demonstrating selective solidarity regarding social and student issues.
What Happened
For three weeks, Lower Primary School Teacher (LPSA) rank-holders have been staging an indefinite demonstration outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. The job seekers, listed on a KPSC rank list published on May 31, 2025, are demanding immediate appointment orders and accurate reporting of existing vacancies. On July 8, 2026, protesters partially painted their faces during a symbolic demonstration.
Initially, several Malayalam actors and public figures had voiced support for national-level student demonstrations organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi concerning NEET paper leak allegations, which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, right-wing groups and social media users criticized these celebrities for ignoring local issues within Kerala, such as administrative delays in KPSC appointments and earlier nursing staff protests.
In response to the backlash, several figures—including actors Tovino Thomas, Naslen, Chandu Salim Kumar, Leona Lishoy, Deepa Thomas, Vijeesh Vijayan, and television host Ranjini Haridas—shared protest videos or posted statements in favor of the KPSC job seekers.
Key Highlights
- Lower Primary School Teacher rank-holders have been protesting outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram for three weeks over delayed appointments and unreported vacancies.
- Actor Tovino Thomas, who previously condemned police actions at Jantar Mantar, faced a protest by Yuva Morcha activists at his Irinjalakuda residence in Thrissur district on July 22, 2026.
- Actor Chandu Salim Kumar urged the public not to divide intentions along political lines, stating that both NEET paper leaks and KPSC administrative lapses require attention.
- Actor Vijeesh Vijayan emphasized that students deserve a transparent and accountable system regardless of whether examinations are conducted by state or central agencies.
- Television anchor Ranjini Haridas stated she wanted to gather reliable information before publicly taking a stance on the Secretariat protest, inviting dialogue with the rank-holders.
- Online criticism also targeted Vismaya Mohanlal following her social media post condemning Delhi Police action against student protesters in Delhi.
Why This Matters
The shift in public declarations highlights the growing focus on cultural figures to address local state issues alongside national movements. Social media critiques accused prominent personalities of selective awareness when supporting central-level student protests while remaining silent on state-level employment disputes and public service recruitment delays in Kerala.
What to Watch Next
Protesters continue to demand immediate appointments from the May 31, 2025 rank list and formal declaration of vacant positions by state authorities. Further discussions or statements from public figures and government officials regarding the rank-holders’ demands remain key areas of development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the demands of the KPSC rank-holders protesting in Thiruvananthapuram?
The Lower Primary School Teacher rank-holders are demanding prompt appointments based on the rank list published on May 31, 2025, along with transparent and accurate reporting of all available vacancies.
Why were Malayalam celebrities criticized regarding their social media stances?
Celebrities faced backlash on social media and from political organizations for actively commenting on national student protests at Jantar Mantar while remaining silent on state-level concerns in Kerala, including KPSC appointment delays and past nursing protests.
How did Yuva Morcha respond to actor Tovino Thomas’s stance?
On July 22, 2026, Yuva Morcha activists held a protest outside Tovino Thomas’s residence in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district, wearing black mouth covers and carrying placards that questioned his silence on state PSC issues and nurses’ wage protests.
Source: Based on reporting by The Hindu.