‘You should be ashamed,’ Govindan loses cool with media over 'fake news' on Global Ayyappa Sangamam

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary MV Govindan lashed out at media personnel here on Sunday while speaking about the Global Ayyappa Sangamam held in Pampa on Saturday. The CPM leader said the event was a huge success, but some media outlets reported false news about the participation of invitees.

“You should be ashamed of circulating fake news. There should be facts while reporting. You should remember people are watching everything,” Govindan shouted at the media.

Responding to visuals featuring vacant seats at the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, Govindan claimed they may have been created using AI tools.

“The Travancore Devaswom Board had only anticipated 3,000 people for the conference. But around 4,600 people attended the sessions. It shows that the event was a huge success. Yet some media, with evil intentions, reported that only 600 people were present,” Govindan argued.

He questioned whether the media wanted to dampen the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, which focused on developing Sabarimala as a major pilgrimage centre.

Backing Govindan, CPM leader MV Jayarajan showed the media some images of the crowds that gathered to attend the event at three venues in Pampa.