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Kancha Illaiah gets threatening calls
Social activist and writer Kancha Ilaiah has landed in a controversy over a Telugu book which described Vysyas – members of the trading community – as “social smugglers”.
Hyderabad: Social activist and writer Kancha Ilaiah has landed in a controversy over a Telugu book which described Vysyas – members of the trading community – as “social smugglers”.
While the Arya Vysya Sangham held protest rallies across the State after the contents of the book were circulated in the social media, Ilaiah, complained to the Hyderabad police on Monday that he had been receiving threatening calls from unidentified people ever since his book was launched.
“The calls and messages are abusive, and they have even threatened to cut off my tongue,” Ilaiah told the media. “Maybe they intend to murder me just like Gauri Lankesh was killed in Bengaluru,” he said. Ilaiah said he did not insult any community and that he did not write any book specifically on Vysyas. He said in 2009 he had written a book ‘The Ancient Hindu India’ in which there is a chapter on the history of Vysyas. Recently a book publishing house published a special book taking that particular chapter.
Meanwhile, various associations of Vysyas alleged that Ilaiah habitually insults certain castes and communities through his writings. “He also made derogatory comments against Hindu gods in the past, hurting religious sentiments,” one of them said on the condition of anonymity.
J Venkateshwar, president of the Andhra Pradesh Arya Vysya Mahasabha, demanded that the book be banned, and Ilaiah placed under arrest immediately. He said the Mahasabha would file a complaint against Ilaiah. Pointing out that several members of the Arya Vysya community – including Mahatma Gandhi – had played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle, he said: “Ilaiah should apologise to the AryaVysya community people, failing which we will register protests wherever he goes in the state.”
The All India Vysya Journalists Association and Telangana Vysya Journalists Association lodged a complaint in Punjagutta police station against the author on Monday.The community members protested in Paradise circle here, Mylardevpally X road in Rajendranagar, Punjagutta and other places.
On the other hand, Left parties and MIM backed him. During a programme organised by Telangana Mass and Social Organisations Forum (T-MAS), CPM State Secretary, Tammineni Veerabhadram condemned the threatening calls made to Kancha Ilaiah. Citing that the author had only chronicled the history, he invited debate from those who were opposed to author's ideas. While MIM party chief and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to the State government to provide adequate security to the author and sought action against those threatening him.
