Writers, activists and intellectuals from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have pledged their support to writer-academician Kancha Ilaiah, after he began receiving abusive calls and threats allegedly from activists of Brahmin caste-based organisations.
In a statement on Saturday, about 50 persons, including writers from Telugu-speaking states, scholars, academics and activists from across communities, declared their solidarity with Prof. Ilaiah, and expressed concern that the threats appeared to be an extension of attacks on rationalists.
Signatories to the statement included Kondepudi Nirmala, Gogu Shyamala, Bammidi Jagadeeshwar Rao, P.V.Vijay Kumar, N.Venugopal, U.Sambasiva Rao (Usaa), Ramana Jeevi, Pasunuri Ravinder, and Jayaraj, who are writers, and Sky Baba, and academics P.L.Vishweshwar Rao and Surepally Sujatha.
The run-up to the events began when Prof. Ilaiah, known for his opposition to Hinduism as Brahminic religion, delivered a talk at the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) conference in Vijayawada.
A local daily reported that Prof. Ilaiah called all Brahmins “lazy” and “gluttons”, leading to a furore. Chairperson of the AP Brahmin Welfare Corporation and former Chief Secretary I.Y.R.Krishna Rao reportedly issued a statement condemning the comments.
‘Refuted allegations’
“Two days after the meeting, a group of 15 persons representing the community came to meet me in my office at MANUU. I refuted the allegations, and assured that I never said anything like that,” said Prof. Ilaiah, who is presently Director of the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) at Maulana Azad National Urdu University.
“I tried to reason with them, saying my comments were only about Brahmins historically remaining away from productive labour,” Prof. Ilaiah said.
From the next day, he reportedly began to receive calls on his office landline, from unknown persons abusing him in filthy language and threatening to kill him.
“I have been critiquing Hinduism expecting reform, but if this is its culture, I will never speak about Hinduism again, and limit myself to Buddhism, Christianity and Islam which are the spiritual democracies of India,” a visibly shaken Prof.Ilaiah said at a press conference on Saturday.
“As a writer-thinker, I cannot go around police stations. I would rather die if that is what they want. If they send me to jail, I will go. I shall not abuse the abusers,” he said on an emotional note, when asked if he lodged a police complaint.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Praja Samskruthika Kendram affiliated to CPI(M) organised a meeting in support of Prof. Ilaiah and passed resolution, calling for a debate on the issue.
“As far as my understanding goes, Prof.Ilaiah has not abused any person or caste. He was addressing a congregation of workers, and hence spoke about physical labour being considered meanest profession in Hinduism,” said Usaa, who participated in the meeting.
