Different approach if it is a prominent person; criticism that Vedan is being hunted

KOCHI: There has been strong criticism on social media for framing rapper Vedan, who was arrested in a cannabis case, in other cases. The criticism is that the reason behind issues that started from a case of six grams of cannabis, which can be granted station bail, reaching a non-bailable tiger hunting case, which can be sentenced to seven years in prison, is Vedan's skin colour, caste, politics in his ideology, and the dissatisfaction of prominent artists with Vedan taking over venues one by one.

There was criticism that the officials were overly interested in implicating Vedan in a poaching case over a tiger tooth gifted by a fan and that this approach was not taken when prominent people were accused in similar cases.

Hirandas Murali, alias Vedan, is the son of a Sri Lankan refugee mother. He was born and raised in a Dalit colony in the heart of Thrissur city. Vedan's self-written and composed raps are a hit among the youth. The songs, which directly and indirectly describe the caste discrimination and leftist politics he faced since childhood, have penetrated the minds of the community like an arrow. Youth flock to Vedan's live programs like an ocean. Vedan's new album is coming out soon amidst these controversies.

My stance is with the politics of 'black' and against drugs. Let Vedan's artistic revolution "against white gods" continue. The influence that Vedan has achieved in a short time through hard work and talent is extraordinary. Do not destroy Vedan's artistic sense and politics. Whether it is Vedan, Vinayakan, Mohanlal or Mammootty, if someone uses drugs, they should go through the legal route.

-Geevarghese Mar Coorilos

The deep, burning politics in Vedan's music and its influence on the youth are what make the officials and the upper castes who have casteist thoughts tremble. The influence of Vedan, who strongly opposes synthetic drugs, should be used for this campaign.

Bindu Sajan

Documentary director