A women’s rights group in Kozhikode has formally requested action from Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who also serves as the Chancellor for state universities. Their concern stems from the inclusion of a song by rapper Hirandas Murali, known publicly as Vedan, in the academic curricula of both Calicut University and Kerala University.
In a detailed letter, P.S.F. Husna, chairperson of the Council for Women’s Rights and Safety, highlighted deep concerns regarding Vedan’s song, ‘Bhumi Njan Vazhunna Idam,’ being part of Calicut University’s B.A. Malayalam syllabus. This concern is amplified by the serious rape allegations currently leveled against the rapper.
Reports indicate that the Chancellor’s office has since contacted the Calicut University Vice-Chancellor’s office for clarification. The university has reportedly passed the request to the relevant department for an official response.
Ms. Husna revealed that her organization initially appealed to the Calicut University Vice-Chancellor for the song’s removal. However, it was subsequently discovered that Vedan’s compositions were also featured in the Malayalam syllabus at Kerala University, broadening the scope of their appeal.
Addressing Broader Academic and Social Implications
The letter to the Governor underscored the broader academic and societal implications of this issue. While the Council clarified that they do not dispute the artistic merit of Vedan’s work or assert that an artist’s personal life inherently devalues their creations, acknowledging his background as an artist from a marginalized community who challenges traditional norms, they emphasized the gravity of the pending rape accusation. A formal police case has been registered against him, making the situation particularly sensitive.
Ms. Husna argued that compelling students, especially women, to study his work amidst these allegations sends a deeply troubling message. She stated that such a requirement contradicts modern academic values and could cause significant emotional distress to students.
She further asserted that the potential mental anguish and feeling of institutional disregard among female students in such an educational setting are highly concerning and directly oppose the principles of gender justice that all universities are obligated to uphold.
In an interview, Ms. Husna confirmed that the Council is ready to pursue legal action through the Kerala High Court if the Governor’s office fails to provide a satisfactory resolution to their concerns.