Thiruvananthapuram: The parody song 'Pottiye kettiye' that went viral during Kerala’s recent local body elections has sparked a controversy, with a complaint alleging that it distorts a devotional song and hurts religious sentiments.

The complaint, filed with State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar by Prasanth Kuzhikala, general secretary of the Thiruvabharanapatha Samrakshana Samithi, claims that the parody mutilates a sacred Ayyappa devotional composition and misuses religious content for political purposes. The song was widely circulated on social media during the election campaign.

The petition seeks the immediate withdrawal of the song and action against those behind it. The state police chief has forwarded the complaint to the ADGP, and authorities will examine whether there are sufficient grounds to register a case.

According to the complainant, linking Lord Ayyappa with an election campaign song amounts to an affront to faith and has caused emotional distress to devotees. He argued that the use of religious imagery for political gain is unacceptable.

The parody refers to the alleged gold theft at the Sabarimala temple, claiming that Unnikrishnan Potty, who is currently in judicial custody, was brought to the shrine to turn gold into copper. The lyrics also allege that gold and money belonging to the deity were stolen by “comrades”.

The alleged gold heist is being probed by a special investigation team appointed by the Kerala High Court. Six people, including two former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board, both CPM leaders, have been arrested in the case.

CPM leaders have also criticised the song. The party’s Pathanamthitta district secretary and five-time MLA Raju Abraham said the parody had hurt the religious sentiments of Ayyappa devotees and called for appropriate action. CPM Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim also criticised the song, with the party demanding stringent action against its creators.

The song’s producers, however, have said it was not conceived as part of any political campaign. Produced by Malappuram-based duo Subair Pandalloor and Haneefa Mudikkode, the track was created as a promotional effort for their studio. The lyrics were written by Kunjabdulla Chalappuram, also known as G P Chalappuram, and sung by Danish Malappuram.

After its release, the song went viral in Kerala and among Malayali communities abroad during the local body election campaign.  UDF MPs even used the song while staging a protest in front of Parliament, demanding a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged Sabarimala gold smuggling case. While supporters described it as a creative political expression, critics argued that it crossed a line by blending religious devotion with partisan politics.