A song that spoke against gender discrimination at Sabarimala temple and advocated women's empowerment has made the Sangh Parivar in Tamil Nadu see red, almost six years after the gig was released on YouTube.
Published Nov 28, 2024 | 11:15 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 29, 2024 | 9:53 AM
Anti-caste Ganaa singer Isaivani complained to the police that she has been receiving abuses and threats after a pro-Hindu outfit shared her phone number on social media.
The contentious issue of allowing women of menstrual age to visit the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to celibate god Ayyappa, at Sabarimala in Kerala has once again come to the fore after right-wing Hindu groups in Tamil Nadu claiming that a song performed almost six years ago have hurt their religious sentiments.
A few pro-Hindu groups have approached the Tamil Nadu police with separate complaints against anti-caste Ganaa singer Isaivani led The Casteless Collective in rendering the song at a show organised by filmmaker Pa Ranjith under the auspicious of Neelam Cultural Centre on 1 January 2019.
Meanwhile, Isaivani complained to the Chennai police commissioner that she was receiving abuses and threats over the phone after a Hindu outfit had shared her number.
The song, written, composed and performed The Casteless Collective, questioned the restrictions on women of menstrual age — defined as those aged between 10 and 50 — from entering the Sabarimala temple.
The gig, performed at the St Ebbas School, Mylapore, on 31 December 2018 and uploaded onto YouTube on New Year’s Day, was an instant hit.
“I’m sorry Ayyappa, naan ulla vanthal yenappa…” (what’s wrong if I come in), the 4.15-minute song began, before singing about women’s empowerment and their rights.
A poster announcing the band’s performance on 31 December 2018.
Kerala was then witnessing violent protests by pro-Hindu groups as the state government tried to implement the Supreme Court’s 28 September 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala temple.
“We have no hesitation in saying that such an exclusionary practice violates the right of (a woman) to visit and enter a temple, to freely practice Hindu religion, and to exhibit her devotion towards Lord Ayyappa. The denial of this right to women significantly denudes them of their right to worship,” the apex court ruled.
A day after “I am Sorry Ayyappa” was released on YouTube, two Kerala women, Bindu Ammini, 40, and Kanakadurga, 39, entered the temple with police security. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan then termed their visit “historic”.
The curbs on women were later reinstated.
Meanwhile, the complaints against Isaivani and Ranjith coincided with the annual pilgrimage season of the hill shrine.
Shiv Sena members complained against Isaivani to the Hosur police, saying that the song was intended to hurt the feelings of Hindus, besides inciting communal tension.
More than 50 Ayyappa devotees led by Selvaraj, the president of the Mettupalayam All Ayyappa Devotees Association in the Coimbatore district, complained to the Mettupalayam police that Ganaa singer Isaivani and Neelam Cultural Center have released a song, insulting Lord Ayyappa and the vratam — or a vow to abjure all worldly pleasures — the pilgrims observe for 41 days ahead of visiting the temple.
The Association said the song was intended to hurt the feelings of those who believe in God and disturb public peace. “Therefore, a case should be registered and action should be taken against Isavani and director Pa. Ranjith of Neelam Cultural Center,” the complaint said.
Indu Makkal Katchi president Arjun Sampath said complaints would be lodged at all police stations across Tamil Nadu against singer Isaivani.
He said she insulted Ayyappa by wearing a cross around her neck at the Neelam Cultural Centre-organised programme. Sampath demanded the government take action action the singer and Ranjith.
Senior BJP leader and a qualified gynaecologist, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said she too was sharing the concerns of the Association.
“Immediate action should be taken against them. If they express opinion against the DMK, they will be arrested. But if they express opinions against spirituality, especially against Hinduism, they celebrate it,” she said.
“Therefore, immediate action should be taken against them. This is condemnable. This hurts everyone’s feelings,” Soundarajan, who had briefly taught at the Ramachandra Medical College, demanded.
BJP State Coordination Committee Organiser H Raja said there were several anti-Hindu posts on social media and they must be strongly condemned.
“Devotees have been putting on the bead garlands (to observe the penance) since the beginning of the month of Karthigai, and people like Isaivani and director Ranjith are talking about Ayyappa jokingly and sarcastically. The Tamil Nadu police should take immediate action,” he demanded.
Referring to the Deputy Chief Minister’s anti-Sanathana dharma remark, he said the government was against Hindus.
Even as the issue snowballed into a controversy, the Neelam Cultural Center called upon all who believed in democracy to stand with Isaivani.
“A group is trying to create social tension by hiding the truth and spreading false news on social media that the entire song is against a particular religion,” Neelam said in a statement.
It further stated that the entry to temples is a fundamental right. “This song was created to condemn the act that is against that fundamental right,” it said referring to the curb on women.
Launching a hashtag campaign, #WeStandWithIsaivani, Neelam said “Let us protect fundamental rights and stand with musician Isaivani.”
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi President Thol Thirumavalavan rallied in support of Isaivani.
“Isavani came out as a feminist voice, as the voice of Periyar, and it did not hurt anyone’s feelings,” he said, referring to the controversy over women entering the temple.
Thirumavalavan further said the issue was being peddled in Tamil Nadu to divert attention from issues like the indictment of Gautam Adani in the US.
“This is not acceptable. It is condemnable to say that Isaivani should be arrested”, he said.
The Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association raised a pertinent question.
“If women’s demand for the right to worship hurts the feelings of Hindus, aren’t women who have been denied the right to worship for so long Hindus? Won’t (the ban) their feelings hurt,” it asked, before demanding appropriate action against the Sangh Parivar for trying to cause unrest in society and engaging in a cheap attempt to gain attention.
“The Tamil Nadu government should come forward to protect Isaivani’s right to demand gender equality, including the right to worship, regardless of her religion,” it said.
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister PK Sekar Babu said Chief Minister MK Stalin would not allow one religion to be denigrated by another. The minister said he came to know of the issue through media reports.
“If there is any mistake, firm action will be taken after consulting legal experts,” he said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
