'Harivarasanam' team joins Keralam government's anti-drug campaign
Thiruvananthapuram, July 2
The cast and crew of the upcoming Malayalam film 'Harivarasanam', starring Saiju Kurup, joined the Keralam government's anti-drug campaign.
They took the 'Thoofan Warriors' pledge against drug abuse as part of the state government's anti-narcotics initiative.
The campaign was inaugurated by Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at Chitranjali Studio in Thiruvananthapuram.
During the event, the film's entire cast and technical crew pledged their support to the government's campaign aimed at raising awareness against drug abuse and promoting a drug-free society.
On Tuesday, Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala reiterated the state government's commitment to eradicating the drug menace through "Operation Toofan", asserting that narcotics gangs would not be allowed to operate in the state and dismissing attempts to link the anti-drug drive with a meeting allegedly attended by accused persons in criminal cases.
Speaking to ANI, Chennithala said the police were carrying out an intensive crackdown against the narcotics network across Keralam.
"This is a total fight against the narcotics gangs operating in Keralam. We will not allow them to operate on the soil of Keralam. The Keralam Police are very determined. They are committed to ensuring that drugs have no place in Keralam society. That is why the government has launched a programme called Operation Toofan," he said.
Highlighting the progress of the campaign, the minister said the initiative had received public support and yielded significant results."They are appreciating the government's bold initiative. Crores of rupees worth of narcotic substances have been seized by the police. More than 5,000 people have been arrested, and 4,500 cases have been registered," Chennithala said.
Responding to allegations that several accused in criminal cases had attended a meeting organised by MP K Sudhakaran in Kochi in support of Operation Toofan, the Home Minister said he had no information about such a gathering and clarified that it had no connection with the government's anti-drug campaign.
"Do you really think the Home Department would convene such a meeting? I have no information about it. I don't know whose meeting it was, who called it, or who attended it. Meetings related to Operation Toofan are convened only by police officials... It should not be linked to Operation Toofan. No one can derail or weaken Operation Toofan. We will continue the operation with full strength," he said.
The remarks come days after the Keralam government intensified its anti-drug campaign on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Earlier, Chief Minister VD Satheeshan flagged off an anti-drug awareness rally in Thiruvananthapuram, while Excise and Cooperation Minister M Liju said the state had launched India's first portal for narcotics-related information and de-addiction registration.
According to police data, Keralam registered 36,314 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2025, up from 27,530 cases in 2024, reflecting the state's continued efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Malayali living abroad, this makes me proud! 👏 But I'm skeptical about linking this campaign with any political agendas. The home minister's clarification about that meeting in Kochi sounds like damage control. Why mix politics with a social cause? Let Operation Toofan be about drugs, not about settling scores. Still, cheers to Saiju Kurup and team for stepping up! 🎬
36,314 NDPS cases in 2025?! That's alarming. But it also shows police are actually enforcing the law. I work in healthcare and see kids as young as 14 getting addicted to synthetic drugs. The government needs to invest in de-addiction centres, not just arrests. This film team joining is good PR, but where are the rehabilitation programs? Need more grassroot initiatives, please.
Love seeing our film industry support social causes! But why does every campaign in Kerala end up politicized? First it was the gold smuggling case, now this meeting controversy 😒. Home minister should focus on busting drug networks near colleges instead of defending allegations. Still, Thoofan Warriors is a cool name! Hope they sustain the momentum.
Good initiative, but let's be real — celebrities joining one event doesn't solve the drug crisis. I've seen how easily kids get hookah, weed, and worse in Kochi and Kozhikode. Need stricter enforcement at borders and ports. Also, why no mention of rehabilitation in this article? 4,500 cases filed but what about treatment for those caught? Operation Toofan needs a softer side too.
J James A