The controversial social activist and retired political science professor Kancha Ilaiah, known for his aggressive attack on all upper castes, seems to have gone virtually mad.
His inflammatory comments against Vysyas in his latest book – Samajika Smugglerlu Komatollu – triggered a major controversy in both the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Vysya organisations have been holding protests all over the states and burning his effigies.
If he is a wise man and intellectual, as he claims himself to be, Ilaiah should simply keep quiet or withdraw the comments. But, he sought to project himself as another Ambedkar and started challenging all the upper caste communities.
He went to the extent of criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, not on their policies, but on caste lines.
He even ridiculed Vysyas saying they cannot participate in wars, as they don’t eat beef and meat.
“If you have the guts then join the army and serve the country. You are just sitting in AC rooms and enjoying the life. If you are so patriotic then you should join forces and protect the border of the country,” he challenged.
What is surprising is that the same gentleman is seeking police protection after he received several threatening phone calls.
He says he can write anything and against everybody, since he enjoyed freedom of expression, which nobody can deny.
It clearly shows that Ilaiah is suffering from some mental sickness. What he has forgot that if he has the freedom of expression in criticising every caste, others too enjoy the same right to freedom to protest his criticism.
His comments will only divide the society on caste lines further and create a wedge among the communities.
