Is Congress Challenging the Cyber Police Case on the Sabarimala Parody Song?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kerala Police's case against a parody song highlights concerns over freedom of expression.
- Congress leaders defend artistic freedom, labeling police action as excessive.
- The incident reflects broader societal tensions regarding cultural dissent.
- Political figures in Kerala are drawing parallels with national trends of intolerance.
- Public support for the parody song underscores its cultural significance.
Kochi, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Wing of the Kerala Police's decision to file a case regarding a popular parody song related to the alleged Sabarimala gold heist, which implicates the CPI(M) and its associates, has ignited fierce backlash from Congress leaders. They label this move as a serious attack on freedom of expression and cultural dissent.
V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition, described the case as unprecedented, insisting that the parody song did not offend anyone's religious sentiments.
He emphasized that criminalizing satire and artistic expression represents a significant violation of freedom of expression.
Satheesan drew parallels with events across the nation, alleging that the CPI-M in Kerala is adopting a similarly intolerant approach to that of the Sangh Parivar.
He expressed that such behavior is an embarrassment for Kerala, a state known for its progressive and democratic traditions.
The Chief Minister, Satheesan noted, should feel ashamed before the cultural community for permitting what he termed an assault on artistic freedom.
AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal also vociferously opposed the police's actions.
He stated that he had spoken to G.P. Kunjabdulla, the creator of the widely resonating parody song, and praised the lyrics for connecting with the public.
Venugopal assured the lyricist that the Congress would provide all necessary legal support in this matter.
He further argued that those accused of the gold theft linked to the Sabarimala temple still hold power within the ruling party.
Such actions, he claimed, are what genuinely damage religious faith.
"Those who transformed that supposed plunder into a song are being depicted as offenders who hurt belief," he noted, calling this incident a clear example of state intimidation and the CPI(M)'s increasing intolerance towards dissent and satire.
Congress Lok Sabha member Rajmohan Unnithan cautioned that if legal actions were taken against everyone who shared the parody song, Kerala's jails would be insufficient to accommodate all those arrested.
This remark highlights the Opposition's view that the police's actions are excessive and unjustifiable.
Collectively, the statements from senior Congress figures represent a united response against the cyber police case, framing it as a danger to free expression and a troubling signal regarding the democratic space in Kerala.