UPDATE: Kovan was released on bail Nov. 17, 2015. However, he still faces serious charges.

S Sividas, popularly known as Kovan, is an Indian protest singer from Tamil Nadu who was charged with sedition, criminal intimidation, and dividing social groups for a song criticizing the state Governor’s support of and personal profit from government-run liquor stores. Kovan was subjected to a violent arrest from his home on October 30, 2015. On November 17, 2015 he was released on bail. The charges against him still stand and he may well be imprisoned again facing a potential life sentence.

Kovan is a member of the popular far-left protest group People’s Literary Arts Institute (Tamil: Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam) and has released many songs criticizing government corruption. After referring to Tamil Nadu’s Governor Jayalalithaa by name in a viral October, 2015 song criticizing Tasmacs, or government-run liquor stores, he was given numerous charges reserved for those plotting violent revolutions.

Furthermore, on November 2, 2015, 150 peaceful protesters calling for Kovan’s release were arrested in Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s largest city.