Kerala Police has initiated legal action against three individuals and a media company for allegedly creating and circulating a parody song based on a popular devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The First Information Report (FIR), registered on Wednesday, accuses them of insulting religious beliefs and attempting to incite communal discord.
Details of the FIR and Accused
The case was filed at the Cyber Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram. The complaint was lodged by Prasad Kuzhikkala, the general secretary of the Thiruvabharanapatha Samrakshana Samithi. This organization is responsible for safeguarding the traditional path used for the ceremonial procession of sacred ornaments from Pandalam to the Sabarimala temple.
Those named in the police document include expatriate writer G P Kunhabdulla Chalappuram, who is based in Qatar, singer Danish Muhammed, music producer Subair Panthaloor, and CMC Media, the company that filmed the video. The parody song, which gained traction on social media platforms like YouTube during the recent local body elections, is linked to the controversy surrounding the theft of gold from the Sabarimala temple.
Legal Charges Under New Criminal Code
The accused have been booked under specific sections of the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include Section 299 (outraging religious feelings) and Section 353 (1) C (inciting groups to clash and creating public fear).
The FIR contends that the parody was deliberately crafted to hurt religious sentiments and provoke different religious communities. It states that the creators insulted both the Ayyappa devotional song and the sacred Sarana Mantra before disseminating the content online. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
Political Reactions and Wider Context
This police action has ignited political debate in the state. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticized the ruling CPI(M) government, alleging it is showing intolerance towards parody and creative expression. They pointed out that parody songs based on Ayyappa hymns have been broadcast in the past, even on CPI(M)-affiliated channels like Kairali TV.
The incident occurs amidst an ongoing tussle between the Kerala government and the Centre regarding creative freedom. This was recently highlighted by the film festival row, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Union government of authoritarian behavior for allegedly denying censor exemption to certain films. The state government proceeded with the screenings regardless.
The case underscores the sensitive intersection of religion, creative expression, and law in Kerala, setting the stage for further legal and political developments.
