Thiruvananthapuram, 11 September (H.S.):Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has warned that derogatory and cruel cyberattacks against individuals will not be tolerated.

His statement followed a series of abusive social media posts targeting late journalist Jijo John Puthezhath and his family. Jijo’s unexpected death and the subsequent online attacks against him and his relatives were deeply distressing, Satheesan said in a Facebook post.

The Chief Minister condemned the organised circulation of hatred and falsehoods against the deceased journalist, describing it as a blot on Kerala’s social and cultural values. Such attacks would be unacceptable even if directed against any other individual, he added.

Satheesan questioned the human values of those spreading hatred through social media accounts, including anonymous profiles. He said using faceless or identifiable accounts to malign a deceased person and inflict further pain on a grieving family demonstrated a complete absence of humanity and compassion.

The allegation that political hostility arising from Jijo’s earlier investigative reports was behind the abusive campaign was particularly serious, Satheesan said. Targeting a journalist for discharging his professional responsibilities and continuing the vilification even after his death had no place in a democratic society, he added.

The Ernakulam Press Club and Jijo’s friends have submitted complaints seeking action against those responsible for the cyberattacks. The government would examine the complaints with utmost seriousness and ensure that the perpetrators were identified and prosecuted, the Chief Minister said.

Satheesan assured the journalist’s family and the media community that stringent legal action would be initiated without compromise. The authorities would not allow organised groups or individuals to misuse social media platforms to spread malicious allegations, hatred or personal abuse.

The government remained committed to safeguarding human dignity and ensuring accountability in cyberspace, he said, reiterating that such reprehensible attacks against anyone would be firmly dealt with under the law.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman