Kerala minister condemns bid to drop rappers’ songs from university syllabus

NEW DELHI: The recommendation of an expert panel to "exclude" songs by well-known Malayalam rapper Vedan and singer-composer Gowry Lekshmy from the degree syllabus of Calicut University has drawn sharp criticism from State General Education Minister V Sivankutty. Terming the recommendation "condemnable," the minister, in an official statement on Sunday, alleged that the move was part of the Sangh Parivar's agenda to "saffronise" the higher education sector.

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He said the decision to remove the songs was reportedly made following a complaint filed by members of the university's governing body, appointed by the chancellor. Those who "recommended the removal of the songs", he claimed, lacked an "understanding of the international significance of rap music." In his statement, the minister also emphasised that the vice chancellor should recognise Kerala’s "cultural consciousness and its tradition of embracing diversity."