The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has decided to approach the Election Commission of India with a formal complaint, alleging that a parody song based on a popular Sabarimala devotional tune has hurt religious sentiments and crossed the line of political discourse during the election campaign.
The Viral Song and Its Political Use
The controversy centers around a song with the lyrics 'Pottiye kettiye, Swarnam chembayi mattiye'. This tune is a parody of a well-known devotional song dedicated to Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala. During the recent election campaign in Kerala, the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) widely used this song to launch a sharp political attack against the ruling CPI(M).
The song was reportedly penned by Kunjabdulla. A video that went viral on social media showed CPI(M) legislator P.C. Vishnunath MLA singing the parody song during a video call with the lyricist. This video, shared by a user on the platform X (formerly Twitter) on December 14, 2025, added fuel to the ongoing political firestorm.
Party's Stance and Planned Action
The CPI(M) leadership has expressed strong disapproval, stating that the parody has caused hurt and is an attempt to misuse religious sentiments for political gain. The party argues that such content violates the model code of conduct and aims to create unnecessary religious polarization in the state's political landscape.
As a result, the party is now in the process of preparing a detailed complaint to be submitted to the Election Commission. The complaint will seek action against the creators and propagators of the song for what it terms as a malicious campaign tool.
Broader Context in Kerala Politics
This incident highlights the often intense and culturally resonant nature of political campaigning in Kerala. The Sabarimala temple and issues related to it have been politically sensitive topics in the state for several years. The use of a devotional parody represents a new flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry between the UDF and the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The news was first reported on December 17, 2025, at 14:10 IST. The CPI(M)'s move to involve the Election Commission underscores the seriousness with which it views this episode, setting the stage for a potential confrontation over campaign ethics and the limits of political satire.
