Rapper Vedan booked for rape after complaint alleging sexual abuse on promise of marriage
Kochi: Malayalam rapper and songwriter Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, has been booked for rape following a complaint by a young doctor who accused him of sexually abusing her under the false promise of marriage.
The Thrikkakara police in Ernakulam district registered the case on Wednesday night after the complainant approached the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kochi City). Police said the alleged incidents occurred a few years ago and that Thrikkakara was among the places mentioned in the complaint where the abuse took place.
A senior police officer confirmed: “We are verifying the facts, after which further action will be taken.” The case was formally registered after the woman's statement was recorded.
According to sources, the survivor decided to approach the police after coming across the account of another woman who had allegedly experienced similar abuse by Vedan.
This is not the first time Vedan has faced such allegations. During the height of the Me Too movement, similar accusations had surfaced against him.
The rapper has also had multiple legal run-ins in recent months. On April 28 this year, he was arrested by the Hill Palace police along with eight friends after six grams of ganja were allegedly recovered from his Kochi apartment. Though released on bail in that case, he was immediately arrested by the Forest Department for possessing a leopard-tooth pendant, which he claimed was a gift from a fan. He was later granted bail in that case as well.
Vedan has remained a controversial figure in Kerala’s music and political landscape. He has frequently clashed with right-wing outfits, including the BJP and Sangh Parivar, over the political content of his lyrics. In one such incident, a BJP councillor from Palakkad municipality lodged a complaint claiming his music defamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promoted caste-based divisions.
Reacting to criticism, Vedan had previously stated, “My detractors seem to be troubled by the politics I advocate. Their response only shows that I’m striking the right chords.”
Meanwhile, a section of university staff had earlier opposed the exclusion of Vedan’s songs from the Calicut University syllabus, citing concerns over censorship of dissenting voices in art and music.
The case is under further investigation.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
