After a number of leaders from Telangana, including Irrigation Minister, Harish Rao, joined in on the chorus against Dalit writer and social scientist Kancha Ilaiah’s book, the BJP has launched a stern criticism against Ilaiah.
Calling his book "Samajika Smugglurlu Komatollu (Komatollu are social smugglers)” ‘irrelevant’ and ‘impetuous’, the BJP Telangana state spokesperson, Krishna Sagar Rao, has called Ilaiah an 'international agent' of forces which want to split the Hindu Society.
Speaking to the media, at the party office in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Rao criticised Ilaiah for attacking the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the BJP President, Amit Shah, Rao said, "These (Vysyas) people are peaceful that’s why you are making such comments. If you have guts you should say two words against Muslims. They will show you what they’ are.”
Continuing his tirade he said, "Today he said this about one community tomorrow it be another community.”
He also urged other intellectuals like Varavara Rao, G Haragopal and Congress leaders Damodara Raja Narsimha, A Dayakar to make statements against him.
The Telangana BJP Chief K Laxman also demanded that the government take action against Ilaiah for deliberately abusing certain castes and communities.
Strong opposition to his book continue as Ilaiah reiterated his stand and said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a BC Arya Vysya and BJP president Amit Shah is also Arya Vysya. Why are they feeling angry if I ask them to give just 1% of their wealth to the poor? If 5% of the donations made to the BJP are given to farmers, there would be no farmer suicides in the country."
“People can debate and write a counter argument to Prof Kancha Ilaiah so that he will reconsider his position, but asking for a ban is not a feature of a healthy democracy,” Professor G Haragopal, a social scientist told TNM.
Dr Jilukara Srinivas, National Coordinator, Bahujana Rachayitala Sangam said, "It would be good if they read his writings instead of taking it out of context. The sort of criticism which is aimed at Kancha shows their casteist and communal mindset. This shows how organised the attack is and what are forces behind it. ”
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Andra Pradesh DGP N Sambasiva Rao has ordered CID officials to file a case against Kancha Ilaiah. This comes after a discussion was held between the chief minister and the DGP.