BJP Syndicate Member Opposes Vedan’s Protest Rap In Calicut University Curriculum

Calicut, 12 June 2025 – AK Anuraj, a member of the Calicut University Syndicate, has called upon Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr P Raveendran to rescind the recent decision to include rap artist Vedan’s song in the fourth-semester BA Malayalam curriculum. In a strongly worded letter, Anuraj, a BJP member, argued that the inclusion of Hirandas Murali—known professionally as Vedan—whose troubled past involves criminal proceedings, sets a poor example for students.

Anuraj expressed concern over Vedan’s ongoing legal troubles, including an arrest for narcotic possession and another for wearing a leopard-tooth pendant, accusing the rapper of publicly portraying substance use in his music videos. He warned that such content could influence impressionable students to emulate questionable behaviour, thereby undermining the integrity of academic instruction.

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Calicut University had recently introduced Vedan’s song “Bhoomi Njaan Vaazhunnidam” as part of a comparative study in the fourth semester, placing it in equal standing with Michael Jackson’s civil-rights anthem “They Don’t Care About Us.” The module encourages students to examine global and local voices of dissent, exploring themes of marginalisation, caste, and resistance.

Vedan has made headlines in recent months. On 23 May, a councillor from Palakkad filed a complaint to India’s Home Minister, citing allegations that Vedan’s lyrics defamed the Prime Minister and incited caste tensions. Vedan swiftly responded, stating he was exercising his democratic right and that criticism of powerful groups would continue through his music.

He also defended himself against accusations from cultural critics who labelled his work “a blot on Adivasi heritage.” Vedan countered by calling such claims attempts to silence a Dalit voice expressed through rap, asserting there was a concerted effort to malign him as a terrorist.\

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Despite these battles, Vedan remains in the spotlight. His latest track, “Theruvinte Mon” (Son of the Streets), released on 8 June, has sparked acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of Kerala’s marginalised urban communities. Critics and audiences alike have praised its gritty realism and strong social commentary.