A major controversy has erupted in Kerala after the state government’s Suvarna Keralam (SK 34) lottery ticket featured an image that Hindu organisations and the BJP allege depicts menstrual blood flowing onto a Shivalinga, sparking widespread outrage and accusations of deliberately insulting Hindu religious sentiments.
Hindu Aikya Vedi state president RV Babu has filed a complaint with the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner against the image, which was sourced from the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi. Hindu organisations have condemned the abstract image, which features what appears to be a Shivalinga, a three-petaled lotus, and a dripping red substance, calling it blasphemous, obscene, and an insult to Hindu beliefs.
BJP state general secretary Adv S Suresh and RV Babu alleged on Tuesday that the lottery ticket, issued for the draw on January 2, 2026, contains a picture depicting menstrual blood being offered to the deity, which they described as a sexual perversion being passed off as culture. Suresh wrote on Facebook that the Pinarayi Vijayan government, which profits from Ayyappan’s wealth, has now insulted believers by depicting such an act, and called for protests against this.
RV Babu alleged that an organised group with the aim of destroying Sanatana Dharma by any means is currently operating in Kerala, and that the Pinarayi government and the party it leads have made it a habit to constantly insult Hindu beliefs, emboldened by support from those who applaud such actions. He warned that if the Hindu community does not wake up, it will only lead to self-destruction.
The Kerala State Lottery Department has informally stated that the images were from the Lalithakala Akademi collection and meant to be artistic, with the Director acknowledging the matter is under investigation. The controversy has gained massive traction on social media, with political leaders, users, and religious activists calling for boycotts or burning of the controversial tickets.
