Singer booked for singing ‘revolutionary songs’ at temple fest
The Kerala police have registered a case against singer Aloshi Adams and members of a temple advisory committee on Thursday, April 3, for performing “revolutionary songs” glorifying the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [(CPI(M)] during a temple festival in Kollam district.The controversy erupted at the Kadakkal temple festival held on March 10. According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Kadakkal police, Aloshi sang songs such as ‘Pushpane Ariyamo’ and ‘Nooru Pookkale’, while flags and symbols of the CPI(M) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) were allegedly displayed on an LED screen on stage. ‘Pushpane Ariyamo’ commemorates the late CPI(M) worker Puthukudi Pushpan, a survivor of the 1994 Kuthuparamba police firing.Aloshi has been named the first accused in the case, while members of the temple advisory committee have also been booked under Sections 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, which prohibits the promotion of political ideologies or the use of political symbols within religious institutions and festivals.Police said that slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad,” “DYFI Zindabad,” and “CPI(M) Zindabad” were raised during the performance, and the committee members allegedly enabled it by allowing such content on the temple premises.Responding to the allegations, Aloshi said he was unaware of the FIR and insisted that he had performed the songs at the audience’s request. “Most of the songs I sang were requested by people at the venue. Some may have taken issue with it, but there were no other problems. I only learned about the FIR through the media,” he told reporters.The singer added that while he had his own political beliefs, he chose songs based on the audience’s preferences. “This trend of targeting performers is not healthy — that’s all I have to say,” he said.The incident sparked political controversy, with leaders of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) criticising the use of temple space for political messaging. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which oversees temple administration, has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the matter.
THE Kerala police have registered a case against singer Aloshi Adams and members of a temple advisory committee on Thursday, April 3, for performing “revolutionary songs” glorifying the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [(CPI(M)] during a temple festival in Kollam district.
The controversy erupted at the Kadakkal temple festival held on March 10.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Kadakkal police, Aloshi sang songs such as ‘Pushpane Ariyamo’ and ‘Nooru Pookkale’, while flags and symbols of the CPI(M) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) were allegedly displayed on an LED screen on stage.
‘Pushpane Ariyamo’ commemorates the late CPI(M) worker Puthukudi Pushpan, a survivor of the 1994 Kuthuparamba police firing.
Aloshi has been named the first accused in the case, while members of the temple advisory committee have also been booked under Sections 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, which prohibits the promotion of political ideologies or the use of political symbols within religious institutions and festivals.
Police said that slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad,” “DYFI Zindabad,” and “CPI(M) Zindabad” were raised during the performance, and the committee members allegedly enabled it by allowing such content on the temple premises.
Responding to the allegations, Aloshi said he was unaware of the FIR and insisted that he had performed the songs at the audience’s request.
“Most of the songs I sang were requested by people at the venue. Some may have taken issue with it, but there were no other problems. I only learned about the FIR through the media,” he told reporters.
The singer added that while he had his own political beliefs, he chose songs based on the audience’s preferences.
“This trend of targeting performers is not healthy — that’s all I have to say,” he said.
The incident sparked political controversy, with leaders of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) criticising the use of temple space for political messaging. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which oversees temple administration, has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the matter.
