“Oorkku oorkku sarayam” song raises the ire of the chief minister.
By Raif Karerat
The Chennai police have arrested Tamil folk singer Kovan for criticizing Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in his lyrics.
Kovan recently released a song — “Oorkku oorkku sarayam” — claiming that the whole of Tamil Nadu is under the influence of alcohol and that “Poes,” where Jayalalithaa resides, is rejoicing, reported India Today.
The song, which has gone viral on social media, also rails against Tamil Nadu’s government on issues such as rising food prices and the state’s faltering educational system.
Police apprehended the 45-year-old singer — whose real name is S. Sivadas — from his house at Maruthanda Kurichi near Tiruchi at 2 in the morning. He was brought to Chennai for further inquiry.
Kovan, who is a member of the Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam (MKIK) has been charged with various offenses, primary of which is sedition, according to OneIndia, which described MKIK as a revolutionary outfit.
Reacting over the arrest of singer, Saravanan, a member of MKIK told OneIndia, “They did not tell us initially why he was being arrested, only when he was taken in and they were on their way to Chennai did they tell us.”
Meanwhile, attorney Jim Raj Milton informed The Times of India that he was barred from meeting with Kovan by Chennai police. Milton reportedly filed a subsequent habeas corpus petition in the Madras high court in an effort to meet with his client.