The controversy over Dalit author Kancha Illaiah’s book targeting the trading community “Arya Vysya” is now assuming political colour as the community leaders have approached leaders of various parties, including the ruling TRS.
Kancha Illaiah on the other hand has alleged that the Vysya leaders were paying money to the TRS leaders to target him.
Addressing a meeting in Warangal on Sunday, Kancha Illaiah said that money was being paid to leaders like TRS MlA Srinivas Goud.
“Here onwards it will be war against the Vysyas. If I am killed Vysyas will be responsible”, said the author, who has already lodged complaint to the police of threatening calls.
Kancha Illaiah, author several books — including Why I am not a Hindu — has kicked up a major row with his new book in Telugu, “Kmmatolu Social smugglers” (Vysyas social smugglers).
launching a strident attack on the trading community, he said 46 per cent of country’s wealth was in their hand. “Five per cent of the donations they give to the TRS and the BJP will be sufficient to stop the farmers’ suicide. Why don’t these people give jobs to Dalits, tribals and the ex-servicemen in their companies,” he asked.
State Arya Vysya Mahasabha has also lodged complaints with the police against Kancha Illaiah over the book saying he had denigrated the trading community.
TDP Rajya Sabha member and a prominent leader of Vysya community TG Venkatesh also launched a blistering attack on Illaiah and alleged that he was trying to create hatred and mistrust among various castes.
“Such people are worse than terrorists and there should be a law in the country to hang them in a public square”, Venkatesh said addressing a round table conference organised by the mahasabha in Hyderabad on Sunday.
TRS MlA Ganesh Gupta said, “By his acts, Kancha Illaiah has created a doubt that he was a foreign agent.”
TRS MP Balka Suman said, “Kancha Illaiah was behaving like a social terrorist”.
The stir against Kancha Illaiah has also spread to Andhra Pradesh where Arya Vysya Sangam leaders met the leaders of Telugu Desam and YSR Congress. They urged the political leaders to bring pressure on the State Government to take action against Kancha Illaiah.