Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 18: Kerala Police on Wednesday registered a case against three individuals — a writer, a singer and a music producer — in connection with a controversy surrounding a parody song based on a popular Lord Ayyappa devotional number, which went viral during the recent local body elections amid allegations of gold theft from the Sabarimala temple. A media company that shot the video has also been named in the FIR. No arrests have been made so far.

The FIR was registered by the cyber police station in Thiruvananthapuram based on a complaint filed by Prasad Kuzhikkala, general secretary of the Thiruvabharanapatha Samrakshnana Samithi, an organisation responsible for protecting the traditional route used for taking sacred ornaments in procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

Those named in the case include Qatar-based expatriate writer G P Kunhabdulla Chalappuram, singer Danish Muhammed, music producer Subair Panthaloor, and CMC Media, which produced the video. The accused have been booked under Sections 299 (outraging religious feelings) and 353(1)(c) (inciting groups to clash and creating fear among the public) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the FIR, the parody song was allegedly created with the intention of provoking religious sentiments and inciting religious groups. It further stated that the accused insulted the Ayyappa devotional song and the sacred Sarana Mantra, and circulated the content through social media platforms and YouTube.

The case comes close on the heels of a separate controversy during the Kerala International Film Festival, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had criticised the Centre over the alleged denial of censor exemption for screening certain films, calling it a reflection of “authoritarian rule” that suppresses creative expression. The CPI(M)-led government later decided to go ahead with the screenings without waiting for central approval.

Meanwhile, the FIR over the parody song has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties. They alleged that the CPI(M) government was intolerant of satire and parody. The Congress pointed out that parody songs based on Ayyappa devotional tunes had existed in the past as well, noting that CPI(M)-backed Kairali TV had earlier telecast a parody sung by actors Nadirsha and the late Kalabhavan Mani.