This recommendation follows a formal complaint from Anuraj AK, a member of the university syndicate and director of the Mahatma Gandhi College of Mass Communication.
Published Jul 02, 2025 | 8:10 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 02, 2025 | 8:11 AM
Hirandas Murali aka Vedan.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Tuesday, 1 July, urged Calicut University to review its decision to include the song ‘Bhoomi Njan Vazhunnidam’ (The Earth I Live In) by rapper Vedan in the fourth-semester syllabus for the undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course.
This recommendation follows a formal complaint from Anuraj AK, a member of the university syndicate and director of the Mahatma Gandhi College of Mass Communication. Anuraj, who was appointed to the syndicate during the tenure of former Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, had earlier expressed his concerns to the Vice Chancellor.
Anuraj’s objection is primarily centred around the artist rather than the song itself. He feels that Vedan is not an appropriate figure for young students to look up to, pointing to the rapper’s public admission of not being a suitable role model.
Anuraj argues that once students are exposed to this particular song, they may be tempted to explore the artist’s other content, which often features the use of profanity and depictions of alcohol consumption.
He has further highlighted the rapper’s alleged involvement in drug-related offences, noting that Vedan was previously released on station bail due to the small quantity of drugs found in his possession. Additionally, Anuraj referenced an unresolved legal case concerning the possession of leopard teeth.
According to him, including Vedan’s work in the curriculum could unintentionally send a wrong message to students by appearing to endorse such behaviour.
