Folk artist arrested for criticising government

Tamil folk singer Kovan, who penned and sang a satire against Tamilnadu Chief minister Amma Jayalalithaa, arrested on charges of sedition.Police arrested the folk singer at his house at Maruthanda Kurichi near Tiruchi in the wee hours of Friday and later brought him to Chennai for further inquiry.

As per reports he had recently released a song on alcoholism in the state and he blamed Jaya's government in the song. Kovan has been associated with the Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam, an outfit involved in revolutionary activities. In his song Kovan demanded the closure of liquor shops in the state and made derogatory remarks against Amma.

The song 'Oorukku oorukku sarayam...', was uploaded online as well and gets good response.

Kovan had been booked under various sections of the IPC including 124A (sedition), 153 (attempt to create enmity between social groups) and 502/1 (sale any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter). Human rights organisations and activists have condemned the arrest of the 45-year-old