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Kerala-based rapper and songwriter Vedan, aka Hirandas Murali, is facing a fresh wave of scrutiny after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor filed a complaint against him with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The complaint by the councillor of Palakkad Municipality, Mini Krishnakumar, alleges that Vedan insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in one of his songs.
The complaint is based on the lyrics of ‘Voice of Voiceless’, a track released by Vedan four years ago. According to the complaint, the lyrics include terms such as “pseudo-nationalist” and lines that translate to say, “The country is in the hands of the one who wields the sword.” Mini has claimed in her complaint that these lines are a deliberate insult to the Prime Minister, and has called for an investigation by central agencies into the intent behind the lyrics.
“Calling the Prime Minister of a country a pseudo-nationalist is unacceptable. This won’t be encouraged in any other country. An artist holds the power to influence an entire society,” the councillor told the media, adding that the song spreads misinformation and portrays Hindu society as a casteist community.
This is not the first time Vedan has drawn criticism from right-wing leaders. Hindu Aikya Vedi leader KP Sasikala recently made abusive remarks against Vedan for referencing caste discrimination in his songs, claiming that rap music has no connection with the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. Sasikala accused the rapper of humiliating society through what she described as “naked dances.”
RN Madhu, editor-in-chief of Kesari, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)’s mouthpiece in Kerala, also accused Vedan of being backed by “powerful sponsors” and promoting “caste-based terrorism” and separatist ideologies with his lyrics.
Known for his anti-caste and socially conscious lyrics, Vedan has built a reputation as one of Kerala’s most vocal independent artists. He has previously faced legal trouble, including a cannabis-related arrest for which he is currently out on station bail. He is also being investigated by the Forest Department after a tiger tooth was found on a necklace he wore. Vedan has since told the media that no one had framed him and dismissed suggestions of a larger conspiracy behind the cases registered against him.