Kanda Sashti Kavacham controversy: TN police tells YouTube to block channel

The Tamil Nadu police have asked YouTube to block a channel that had offensive content including a post against popular Tamil, Hindu hymn “Kanda Sashti Kavacham.”

Against the backdrop of the arrest of two men of the channel following complaints by the BJP’s legal wing and Hindu outfits, police on Monday (July 20) said the cybercrime wing has written to the social media platform.

“We have asked YouTube to block the Karuppar Kootam channel in view of the offensive contents including one against Kanda Sashti Kavacham,” senior police officials said.

The Central Crime Branch police team had also conducted searches in the office of the Karuppar Kootam channel at T Nagar here and sealed it days ago.

The video post against the hymn, considered sacred and recited every day by millions of Tamil Hindus seeking divine protection from Lord Muruga caused outrage and many people took to social media to register their protest and seek action.

In the post, anchor Surendran alias Nathigan (atheist) allegedly gave vulgar and offensive interpretation to the centuries-old hymn authored by a revered saint, Bala Devaraya Swami at the famed Chennimalai Sri Subramania Swamy temple near Erode in western Tamil Nadu.

Besides Surendran, another man Senthilvasan of the channel was also arrested and the duo are in judicial custody.