Latest news with #HinduAikyaVedi
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Attempt being made to portray me as a terrorist, says rapper Vedan
Kochi: Responding to recent remarks by Hindu Aikya Vedi chief patron KP Sasikala, rapper Hirandas Murali, popularly known as Vedan, said that his remarks were not directed at Sasikala personally but were targeted at his political views. "There is a concerted attempt to portray me as a terrorist and a divisive figure. All I am doing is my profession," Vedan said. He strongly refuted allegations that his songs are casteist or that he is being funded by foreign agencies. Responding to Sasikala's claim that rap music has no connection with dalit identity, Vedan countered, "There is no connection between radical Hindutva and democracy. I stand for democracy and speak for the people." He added that Sasikala's statements reflect a mindset that wants dalits to remain confined to traditional roles. "If I was the voice for classical or ghazal singing, I would have done that. Since my voice suits rap, I express myself through this genre," he said. Addressing criticism over his participation in a govt-sponsored event, Vedan said there was nothing wrong in being part of a programme hosted by a democratically elected govt. "It is foolish to label me as a supporter of any political party. I have always maintained that I am an independent artist. Aligning with a party would compromise that independence," he said.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sasikala attacks Vedan for deviating from tribal music
Hindu Aikya Vedi chief patron K.P. Sasikala has lashed out at rapper Vedan for deviating from the tribal music. Inaugurating a dharna organised by the Hindu Aikya Vedi here on Wednesday in protest against the alleged denial of justice to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, Ms. Sasikala said Vedan's rap music had no connection with the SC/ST culture. She described him as ''Kanjavoli,'' a derogatory Malayalam term linking him with ganja. Ms. Sasikala said that the society was being humiliated by Vedan's performances. According to her, it was time to stop celebrating such vulgar behaviour. 'The real issues being faced by the SC-ST communities should be discussed and addressed,' she said. She questioned whether the benefits of land reforms have reached the common people at the grass-roots level. Ms. Sasikala accused the government of trying to hide behind artists like Vedan, and warned that the community would confront such flippant behaviour. She asked the SC-ST community not to beg before the government, but rather dictate what needs to be done.
