Not long ago, Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan was enjoying a rare moment of internet stardom.

 

 

A campaign promise on vehicle modifications, coupled with a viral facial reaction during a press interaction, turned him into “Pookie CM” among many young social media users. Reels and edits flooded Instagram and Facebook. For Kerala’s automobile enthusiasts, the message appeared simple: change was coming.

Many of those viral videos carried ‘Raga of Revenge’, a track by composer Anirudh Ravichander that became closely associated with the online trend around Satheesan’s promise.

 

On Thursday, however, the mood shifted. The same online community that once celebrated him has now turned to memes and sarcasm, with Satheesan facing a different kind of ‘Raga’ on social media.

Media reports said a new document from the State Transport Commissioner proposed easing vehicle modification rules in Kerala. The report lists 18 changes that motorists can make without prior permission. However, the public response has been far from positive.

 

Across the state, car enthusiasts, vloggers and social media influencers have launched a meme fest targeting the proposals. Many argue that the so-called new freedoms are things motorists have been doing for years without facing any issues. From Facebook to Instagram, the generation that once celebrated Satheesan online is now expressing disappointment. Many feel the government has merely "permitted" activities that were never practically restricted.

 

The list of concessions includes seat covers, floor mats and steering wheel covers. It also says motorists can install door visors, mud flaps and dash cameras without seeking permission. Netizens were quick to mock the proposals. One viral post sarcastically thanked authorities for "allowing" motorists to blow horns on curves. Another joked that the next step could be a permit to wash a car or fill tyres with air.

 

 

Even politicians joined the criticism. Konni MLA K U Jenish Kumar shared a photograph of himself wearing a seatbelt and jokingly asked whether it had become an "officially permitted" modification. Others mocked the provision allowing Bluetooth music systems, asking whether drivers would also need permission to wear jeans behind the wheel.

 

The report also covers bigger changes, such as changing a vehicle's colour or replacing its engine. However, motorists would still need official approval, pay a fee and update their Registration Certificate (RC) before making such changes.

For now, these are only recommendations. The state government has not yet taken a final decision and is expected to review the document carefully. Until then, the internet remains unconvinced. Many commenters believe the report is a hollow gesture that fails to address the real demands of the vehicle modification community. Vloggers and social media influencers continue to troll the chief minister and the government.