In a significant reversal, the Kerala police and state government have backtracked on their aggressive stance against the creators of a popular parody song titled 'Pottiye Kettiye'. The top brass of the police force has instructed all district units to stop filing new cases linked to the satirical song and to freeze proceedings in existing complaints.
Police Instructions and Legal Warnings
ADGP (Law and Order) H Venkatesh issued clear directives to police chiefs across districts, ordering them not to register any further cases related to the viral parody. Furthermore, he instructed that all ongoing proceedings in the already registered case be kept in abeyance, effectively putting a stop to the legal pursuit.
This dramatic U-turn came after senior police officers internally raised red flags, warning that the case was legally untenable and likely to result in a setback if challenged in court. Despite these warnings, pressure from higher political levels initially led the Thiruvananthapuram cyber police to register a case based on a complaint from the Thiruvabharana Patha Samrakshana Samiti.
Political Backlash and Electoral Context
The police action triggered widespread criticism from opposition parties and even from within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) circles. The controversy intensified following the Left's major setback in the recent local body elections, with many linking the public discontent to an overreach in cases perceived as suppressing free speech.
After the first case was filed, multiple complaints, including some from CPM leaders, were registered in various districts. However, the sharp public and legal backlash forced a reevaluation. Sources indicate that the investigation team, fearing adverse judicial scrutiny, did not take any concrete follow-up steps after the initial registration.
Unsent Letters to Social Media Giants
In a revealing detail, police authorities had prepared formal letters to be sent to Meta (Facebook) and YouTube, requesting the removal of the parody song from their platforms. However, these letters were never dispatched, highlighting the hesitation and confusion within the force regarding the legal standing of their own case.
Opposition Leader's Intervention with Meta
Amid this unfolding situation, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan took a proactive step by writing directly to Meta. In his letter, he strongly opposed any move to take down links to the song based solely on police or administrative requests without a valid court order.
Satheesan argued that parody and satire are constitutionally protected forms of expression. He cautioned that acceding to police requests in the absence of a judicial directive would amount to prior restraint and set a dangerous precedent for censorship. He urged Meta to only remove content if directed by a competent court or if the material independently violated the platform's own community standards.
The entire episode underscores the tension between law enforcement actions and the fundamental right to freedom of speech, especially concerning satirical content. The police's retreat marks a victory for those advocating for broader protections for creative and critical expression in the digital age.
