Kerala Lottery Faces Fury Over 'Shiva Linga' Image; Dept Clarifies

• Kerala's 'Suvarna Kerala' lottery sparked controversy over an image on its SK 34 series ticket, drawn January 2, 2026.
• BJP and Hindu Aikya Vedi allege the image depicts "menstrual blood on a Shiva Linga," hurting Hindu religious sentiments.
• BJP state general secretary S Suresh and Hindu Aikya Vedi state president RV Babu strongly condemned the Pinarayi Vijayan government, accusing it of insulting Hindu beliefs.
• The Kerala State Lottery Department clarified the artwork, sourced from Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, is abstract and not intended to misuse religious symbols.
• The department urged against misinterpretations, highlighting the lottery's support for livelihoods.

Why It Matters: Kerala Lottery faces backlash for an image on a ticket, leading to a clarification that the abstract art was not meant to offend.