BC Janasabha president Gangadhar on Tuesday objected to the ‘wild and harsh reactions’ by the Arya Vysya community leaders to the comments made by writer Kancha Ilaiah in his book about the community.
Speaking to mediapersons, he said it was unfortunate that many leaders from the community such as former Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and MP T. G. Venkatesh spoke ‘unforgiving words lowering the status of their positions’.
“Though the sweeping and extreme comments made by the writer were condemnable, the reactions such as threats, physical assaults, police cases and abusive language were uncalled for. The throwing of stones at Ilaiah’s car clearly shows that the community which claims as the descendants of Mahatma Gandhi was not following his preachings,” he remarked. Mr. Rao said in a robust democracy expressing a different opinion should not be treated as treason or anti-national. “Even though the comments made by Mr. Ilaiah were bad in taste there is a way to react in a democracy,” he opined.
