Kerala Police Book 3 Muslims for hurting ‘religious belief’ by Lord Ayyappa Parody Song.

Ayyappa Parody Song Row: Kerala Police Book 3 Muslims for Hurting Hindu Religious Sentiments.

H Ramani | HENB | Thiruvananthapuram | Dec 18, 2025:: The Kerala Police have registered a case against three individuals, including a writer, a singer, and a music producer, for allegedly insulting religious beliefs and inciting communal discord through a parody song based on a popular Lord Ayyappa devotional hymn. The song, which went viral during the recent local body elections, was linked to the controversy surrounding the theft of gold ornaments from the Sabarimala temple.

The parody song titled “Pottiye Kettiye” that circulated during the recent local body elections in the state allegedly hurt religious sentiments and created public resentment.

The political parody, written by G.P. Kunhabdulla Chalappuram and sung by Danish Malappuram, uses the same tune of original song but changes the lyrics to comment on an alleged gold smuggling case at the Sabarimala temple. This case became a significant point of political debate in Kerala. The lyrics allege that gold belonging to Lord Ayyappa was stolen and replaced with copper by the “comrades” (CPM party members), referencing the accused in the high court-monitored investigation.

According to the police, the case was registered on Wednesday by the Cyber Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram following a complaint filed by Prasad Kuzhikkala, the general secretary of the Thiruvabharanapatha Samrakshnana Samithi. The organisation is responsible for safeguarding the traditional route used for carrying sacred ornaments in procession from Pandalam to the Sabarimala temple.

Those named in the First Information Report (FIR) include Qatar-based expatriate writer G. P. Kunhabdulla Chalappuram, singer Danish Muhammed, music producer Subair Panthaloor, and CMC Media, the company that shot the video. The the accused persons, the  Muslim trio, deliberately came together to hurt Hindu religious sentiments by insulting Lord Ayyappa through the parody song.

The accused have been booked under Sections 299 (outraging religious feelings) and 353(1)(c) (inciting groups to clash and targeting to create fear among the public) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR states that the parody was created with the intention of provoking religious sentiments and inciting communal discord. It further alleges that the song insulted the Ayyappa devotional hymn and the Sarana Mantra, and that it was widely circulated through social media platforms and YouTube.

No arrests have been made so far.

The case comes close on the heels of a controversy surrounding the Kerala film festival, during which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the Centre over the alleged denial of censor exemption for screening certain films. Vijayan had described the move as reflective of “the authoritarian rule of the Sangh Parivar regime, which suppresses diverse voices and creative expressions in the country.” The CPI(M)-led state government subsequently decided to proceed with the film screenings without awaiting the Centre’s approval.

The FIR related to the parody song has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties. They accused the CPI(M) government of being intolerant of satire and parody. The Congress pointed out that parody songs based on Ayyappa devotional hymns had existed in the past as well. It also noted that CPI(M)-backed Kairali TV had previously telecast a parody sung by actors Nadirsha and the late Kalabhavan Mani.

Critics say CPIM is trying to manage the erosion of its Hindu vote bank lobby following recent municipal body defeats and a high rise of BJP politics in Kerala.

The incident has reignited debates in the state over artistic freedom, parody, and the limits of religious sensitivity in public discourse.
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Agency Inputs.