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{{Short description|Indian scholar, activist and writer (born 1952)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
|name = Kancha Ilaiah | name = Kancha Ilaiah
|image = | image = Kancha Ilaiah klf.jpg
|image_size = 200x300px | image_size =
|alt = Kancha Ilaiah | alt = Kancha Ilaiah at ] in 2018
|caption = Kancha Ilaiah | caption = Ilaiah at ] in 2018
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1952|10|5}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1952|10|5}}
|birth_place = Papaiahpet, ], India<br/>(now in ], India) | birth_place = Papaiahpet, ], ], India (now in ], India)
|death_date = | death_date =
|death_place = | death_place =
|education = {{Plainlist| | education = {{Plainlist|
* ] {{small|(M.A. Political Science)}} * ] {{small|(M.A. Political Science)}}
* Osmania University {{small|(M.Phil Political Science)}} * Osmania University {{small|(M.Phil Political Science)}}
}} }}
|occupation = Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive | occupation = Retired Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive
Policy (CSSEIP) at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Policy (CSSEIP) at ],
Hyderabad Hyderabad
|known_for = Writer and speaker on Indian political thought <br /> Theorist and activist for the Dalit-Bahujan movements | known_for = Writer and speaker on Indian political thought
⚫ | awards = Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Award
|religion =
⚫ |honours = Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Award
Nehru Fellow 1994-97 Nehru Fellow 1994-97
Manyawar Kanshiram Smriti Mahanayak Puraskar Manyawar Kanshiram Smriti Mahanayak Puraskar
|spouse = | spouse =
}} }}


'''Kancha Ilaiah''' (born 5 October 1952) is an Indian ], Writer, Communist activist and fight for oppressed classes, weaker sections in india. he is social reformer who worked for the upliftment and political mobilisation of the Bahujans, the untouchable groups at the bottom of the caste system in India. He is a writer in both English as well as Telugu. '''Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd''' (born 5 October 1952) is an Indian ], writer and a ] rights activist. He writes in both English and ] languages. His main domain of study and activism is the annihilation of caste.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/taking-aim-at-the-messenger/article19797679.ece|title=Taking aim at the messenger: on the attack on Kancha Ilaiah|first=Kalpana|last=Kannabiran|newspaper=The Hindu |date=5 October 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>


==Early life== ==Early life==
{{Criticism of religion sidebar}} {{Criticism of religion sidebar}}
Kancha Ilaiah was born in the village of Papaiahpet of ] mandal, ] in present-day ].<ref name="rediff">{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/24ap.htm |work=Rediff |title=The attempt to censor my writings is part of a larger game plan |date=24 May 2000 |access-date=16 December 2014}}</ref> He belongs to the ] caste,<ref>{{Citation |title=Kancha Ilaiah {{!}}{{!}} Talking About One Of His Book {{!}}{{!}} నేను హిందువుని ఎలా అవుతా |date=1 March 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYRqTjbntw&t=145s |access-date=2023-05-08 |publisher=RTV Telugu |language=en}}; Event occurs from 2:25 to 2:32</ref><ref name=":0" /> a community of ]s designated as an ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-a-caste-reference-in-his-2009-book-has-come-back-to-haunt-kancha-ilaiah/story-q7EbiFUWXbW902JDn5u1MI.html|title=How a caste reference in his 2009 book has come back to haunt Kancha Ilaiah|date=16 October 2017|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Ilaiah's father Kancha Komuraiah was always away from home while grazing sheep.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=How anti-caste activist Kancha Ilaiah's mother was an inspiration for his rebellion|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-anti-caste-activist-kancha-ilaiah-s-mother-was-inspiration-his-rebellion-133170|access-date=2021-03-10|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> The dominant figure in the family was his mother. Ilaiah credited his mother, Kancha Kattamma, as pivotal in shaping his political thought.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/how-cow-protection-laws-brutalise-our-culture/articleshow/53691544.cms|title=How cow protection laws brutalise our culture|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=14 August 2016 }}</ref>


Ilaaih suffixed 'Shepherd' to his name symbolically, as he comes from a shepherding family.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shepherd|first=Kancha Ilaiah|title=The violence of caste: Why I have changed my name to Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd|url=http://scroll.in/article/808890/kancha-ilaiah-explains-why-he-decided-to-add-shepherd-to-his-name|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Scroll.in|date=27 May 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Kancha Ilaiah was born on 5th October, 1952 in the village of Papaiahpet, Warangal district in Telangana State. His family belonged to the sheep-grazing Kuruma Golla caste which is considered as one of numerically dominated sub-caste among the Telugu speaking . The name ‘Ilaiah’ came out of their caste deity ‘Inoli Mallanna’. Inoli Mallanna, Katta Mallanna, Komuravelli Mallanna, Odela Mallanna are the geographical locations/peaks situated in Deccan plateau, through which shepherds usually travel in the quest of fodder for their sheep and goat. Thus, it is believed that Inoli Mallanna was the chieftain of shepherds. Ilaiah was inspired by his own mother Kancha Kattamma as she was at the forefront of the shepherd’s struggle against the forest guards’ discriminatory behavior. She was killed during a violent confrontation while protesting against police brutality.

Ilaiah has an M.A. degree in political science from Osmania University, Hyderabad and an M.Phil. awarded for his study of land reform in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He was awarded with Ph.D. degree for his work entitled ‘Political Thought of Gautama Buddha’, later it was published in the form book entitled ‘God as Political Philosopher: Buddha’s Challenge to Brahmanism’. He has been a recipient of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Award and was a Nehru Fellow between 1994-97. While working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Osmania University, several of Ilaiah’s colleagues as well as academics affiliated with the university expressed, in an open-letter, their concern with respect to certain articles and opinions Ilaiah contributed to a local newspaper and advised him against writing material that could inflame sectarian discontent or prejudice. He also bagged LISA award for his magnum opus ‘Why I am not a Hindu?’ In 2012, he got retired from his teaching job in Osmania University after 38 of study, research and teaching. Currently, he is serving as Director of the Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad.


==Professional life== ==Professional life==
Kancha Ilaiah received an M.A. degree in ] and an M.Phil., awarded for his study of ] in the south Indian state of united ]. He has been a recipient of the ] Award and was a ] between 1994-97. Ilaiah received an M.A. degree in ] and an M.Phil., awarded for his study of ] in undivided ].<ref name=rediff/> He has been a recipient of the ] Award and was a ] between 1994 and 1997.<ref name=rediff/>


Ilaiah earned a ] on the basis of his work exploring the political dimension of ], culminating in ''God as Political Philosopher - Buddha Challenge to Brahminism''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/modi-should-ask-sadhus-to-clean-the-streets/article8830075.ece|title=Modi should ask sadhus to clean the streets}}</ref>. Ilaiah earned a ] on the basis of his work exploring the political dimension of ], culminating in ''God as Political Philosopher - Buddha's Challenge to Brahminism''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/%E2%80%9CModi-should-ask-sadhus-to-clean-the-streets%E2%80%9D/article14481502.ece|title="Modi should ask sadhus to clean the streets"|author=<!--Not stated--> |newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 July 2016|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> He later elaborated several of its key themes in his best-known book. ''Why I Am Not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy'' (1996). A chapter of the book, ''Hindu Death and Our Death'' has been reprinted in the book ''The Hunger of the Republic: Our Present in Retrospect'', part of the ] series published by ].


Illaiah has encouraged proficiency in the English language for Dalits, arguing that it would allow Dalits in India to intellectually engage the world outside India without non-Dalits speaking "for them".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/Introduce-English-in-all-schools-says-Kancha-Ilaiah/2016/08/08/article3568906.ece|title=Introduce English in all schools, says Dalit scholar Kancha Ilaiah}}</ref><ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/interviews/Kancha-Ilaiah-Even-if-10-dalit-children-got-English-education-India-would-change/articleshow/18503625.cms</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/808852/in-defense-of-english-blame-the-education-system-not-the-language|title=In defence of English: Blame the Indian education system, not the language}}</ref> In May 2016, in protest against "Brahmanic hegemony" he claims continues to persist in India, Ilaiah appended "Shepherd" to his name. Ilaiah d identified in this choice recognition and reaffirmation of his family origins. As an English-language proper noun rather than its equivalent in an Indian language, "Shepherd" is meant to demonstrate a symbolic break with the cultural norms Ilaiah believed "Brahmins" sought to "impose" on Indian society. Ilaiah characterizes his name change as a tool for the upliftment of Dalits.<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-need-a-new-god-says-dalit-thinker-kancha-ilaiah/story-ooWKO6iUKLAXv7qFqEW4ML.html |title=Good Shepherd: Dalit thinker Kancha Ilaiah on name, caste |work=Hindustan Times |date=2016-05-27 |accessdate=2016-07-18}}</ref> Ilaiah has encouraged proficiency in the English language for Dalits, arguing that it would allow Dalits in India to intellectually engage the world outside India without non-Dalits speaking "for them".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Introduce English in all schools, says Kancha Ilaiah|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2016/aug/08/introduce-english-in-all-schools-says-kancha-ilaiah-1506820.html|access-date=2020-10-31|website=The New Indian Express|date=8 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Swati|last=Mathur|date=2013-02-15|title=Kancha Ilaiah: Even if 10% dalit children got English education, India would change |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/interviews/kancha-ilaiah-even-if-10-dalit-children-got-english-education-india-would-change/articleshow/18503625.cms|access-date=2022-02-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/808852/in-defense-of-english-blame-the-education-system-not-the-language|title=In defence of English: Blame the Indian education system, not the language|first=Akshat|last=Jain|website=Scroll.in|date=5 June 2016 }}</ref> In May 2016, in protest against "Brahmanic hegemony" he says continues to persist in India, Ilaiah appended "Shepherd" to his name. Ilaiah identified in this choice recognition and reaffirmation of his family origins. As an English-language proper noun rather than its equivalent in an Indian language, "Shepherd" is meant to demonstrate a symbolic break with the cultural norms Ilaiah believed Brahmins sought to "impose" on Indian society. Ilaiah characterises his name change as a tool to break these norms and to value the work of what he terms "productive classes:" including Scheduled Castes and OBCs.<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-need-a-new-god-says-dalit-thinker-kancha-ilaiah/story-ooWKO6iUKLAXv7qFqEW4ML.html |title=Good Shepherd: Dalit thinker Kancha Ilaiah on name, caste |work=Hindustan Times |date=2016-05-27 |access-date=2016-07-18}}</ref>


Kancha Ilaiah is an ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/voices/kancha-ilaiah-dalit-gauri-lankesh-br-ambedkar/story/1/19836.html|title=Threats to Kancha Ilaiah show India has learnt nothing from Gauri Lankesh's death|website=www.dailyo.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-ethereal-realist/280966|title=The Ethereal Realist &#124; Outlook India Magazine|website=www.outlookindia.com/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/06/21/gandhi-was-not-a-caste-abolitionist-kancha-ilaiah-shepherd.html|title=Gandhi was not a caste abolitionist: Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd|website=The Week}}</ref> As an anti-caste activist,<ref name="rediff" /> Ilaiah is often misidentified by the media as being a Dalit himself.<ref>{{cite news|title=India's President Ram Nath Kovind takes oath|work=www.aljazeera.com|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/india-president-ram-nath-kovind-takes-oath-170725074458219.html}}</ref> Ilaiah identifies himself as a ] intellectual.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mondal |first1=Sudipto |title=Good Shepherd: Dalit thinker Kancha Ilaiah on name, caste |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/we-need-a-new-god-says-dalit-thinker-kancha-ilaiah/story-ooWKO6iUKLAXv7qFqEW4ML.html |access-date=21 January 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 May 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
Currently, Kancha Ilaiah is serving as director of the Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at ] (MANUU) in ].
]
⚫ In November 2015, Ilaiah stated that if ], the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of India credited with accession of a princely states into India amidst the intense violence and bloodletting that followed the creation of Pakistan, had been Prime Minister of India, India "would have become Pakistan".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/if-sardar-patel-was-pm-india-would-ve-become-pakistan-kancha-ilaiah/story-l3SqCY5Dqta6uu0TeLIYHJ.html |title=If Sardar Patel was PM, India would've become Pakistan: Kancha Ilaiah |work=Hindustan Times |date=2015-11-30 |access-date=2016-07-18}}</ref>


==Criticism== ==Criticism==
While working as an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at ], several of Ilaiah's colleagues as well as academics affiliated with the university expressed, in an open-letter, their concern with respect to certain articles and opinions Ilaiah had contributed to a local newspaper and advised him against writing material that could inflame sectarian discontent or prejudice.<ref name=rediff>{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/24ap.htm |work=Rediff |title=The attempt to censor my writings is part of a larger game plan |date=24 May 2000 |accessdate=16 December 2014}}</ref> While working as an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at ], several of Ilaiah's colleagues as well as academics affiliated with the university expressed, in an open-letter, their concern with respect to certain articles and opinions that Ilaiah had contributed to a local newspaper and advised him against writing material that could inflame sectarian discontent or prejudice.<ref name=rediff/>


In April 2016, Ilaiah gave a controversial remark that vegetarianism is ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/vegetarians-are-anti-national-kancha-ilaiahs-hyperbole-illustrating-ambedkars-food-democracy-2728650.html|title=Vegetarianism is anti-nationalism: Kancha Ilaiah on Ambedkar's food democracy|date=14 April 2016|website=Firstpost}}</ref> On 18 September 2017, ], a member of ] representing the ] and a prominent leader of the ] said at a press conference that Ilaiah was a traitor and should be hanged because his writings were "intended to divide society."<ref>{{cite web|title=TD MP TG Venkatesh says 'Hang ilaiah' for his book|date=18 September 2017 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/180917/td-mp-tg-venkatesh-says-hang-ilaiah-for-his-book.html|publisher=The Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-01-04}}</ref> Ilaiah alleged that the members of Arya Vysya community had tried to kill him and lodged a police complaint when Arya Vysya community members attacked his car in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2017/sep/24/after-vehicle-pelted-with-stones-kancha-ilaiah-files-plaint-says-death-threats-against-him-1661914.html|title=After vehicle pelted with stones, Kancha Ilaiah files plaint, says death threats against him|website=The New Indian Express|date=24 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/851750/writer-kancha-ilaiah-says-his-car-was-attacked-with-stones-in-telangana|title=Writer Kancha Ilaiah says his car was attacked with stones in Telangana|author=Scroll Staff|website=Scroll.in|date=24 September 2017 }}</ref>
In February 2013, at the ], Kancha Ilaiah and ] engaged in a heated discussion over the implications of religion in Indian social life.<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jaipur-literature-festival-ends-but-controversy-lingers/article4354622.ece</ref>


In September 2017, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister ] banned Ilaiah's book on Vyshas for hurting the sentiments of the community after Vysyas community members protested and demanded a ban on the book.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle 2017">{{cite web | title=Pawan Kalyan's tweet, comments by MPs make CM see red | website=Deccan Chronicle | date=2017-10-07 | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/071017/pawan-kalyans-tweet-comments-by-mps-make-cm-see-red.html | access-date=2022-04-12}}</ref><ref name="Sharda 2017">{{cite web | last=Sharda | first=Ratan | title=TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu slams Kancha Ilaiah for provocative writing | website=NewsBharati | date=2017-09-27 | url=https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2017/9/27/Kancha-Ilaiah-.html | access-date=2022-04-12}}</ref>
⚫ Ilaiah has also been criticised for believing in the ].<ref name="hindustantimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/oct/18franc.htm|title=Who are real Dalits of India}}</ref> In November 2015, Ilaiah stated that if ], the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of India credited with forging national unity amidst the intense violence and bloodletting that followed the creation of Pakistan, had been Prime Minister of India, India "would have become Pakistan".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/if-sardar-patel-was-pm-india-would-ve-become-pakistan-kancha-ilaiah/story-l3SqCY5Dqta6uu0TeLIYHJ.html |title=If Sardar Patel was PM, India would’ve become Pakistan: Kancha Ilaiah |work=Hindustan Times |date=2015-11-30 |accessdate=2016-07-18}}</ref>

He is anti Hindu writer, activist and thinker as he quotes himself in his books like ' Why I am Not a Hindu'. He recently insulted Vysya caste by quoting them as 'Social Smugglers'.


==Appointments== ==Appointments==
Among Ilaiah's official appointments have been:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osmania.ac.in/Naac%20Dept%20Evoluation/Social%20Sciences.pdf|title=3rd Cycle of Accreditation – NAAC, Self – Study Report, 2013|page=48|date=2013|publisher=Osmania University|accessdate=7 August 2016}}</ref> Among Ilaiah's official appointments have been:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osmania.ac.in/Naac%20Dept%20Evoluation/Social%20Sciences.pdf|title=3rd Cycle of Accreditation – NAAC, Self – Study Report, 2013|page=48|date=2013|publisher=Osmania University|access-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314190854/http://www.osmania.ac.in/Naac%20Dept%20Evoluation/Social%20Sciences.pdf|archive-date=14 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad *Retired Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad
*Former Head of department, Political Science, ], Hyderabad<ref name="rediff" />
*Member of National Research Committee constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice, New Delhi *Member of National Research Committee constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice, New Delhi
*Member – ] (ICSSR), New Delhi *Member – ] (ICSSR), New Delhi
*Former Member of the ], Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, New Delhi for three years *Former Member of the ], Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, New Delhi for three years
*Member of the ] Sub Committee to formulate an agenda for land reforms for the ] *Member of the ] Sub Committee to formulate an agenda for land reforms for the ]
*Member of the ] Constitutional Committee to oversee the implementation of OBC reservations in all ] and ] in India *Member of the ] Constitutional Committee to oversee the implementation of OBC reservations in all ] and ] in India
*Former member of the Executive Council of ] (Tamil Nadu) *Former member of the Executive Council of ] (Tamil Nadu)


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<!--these need publishing dates and publisher information--> <!--these need publishing dates and publisher information-->
English language publications: English language publications:
*Ilaiah, K. '''' (Calcutta: Samya, 1996) {{ISBN|8185604185}} *Ilaiah, K. ''Why I Am Not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy'' (Calcutta: Samya, 1996) {{ISBN|8185604185}}
*Ilaiah, K. '''' (Calcutta: Samya, 2001) {{ISBN|8185604444}} *Ilaiah, K. '''' (Calcutta: Samya, 2001) {{ISBN|8185604444}}
*Ilaiah, K. '''' (Calcutta: Samya, 2004) {{ISBN|818560469X}} *Ilaiah, K. '''' (Calcutta: Samya, 2004) {{ISBN|818560469X}}
*Ilaiah, K., & Vyam, D. (2007). ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land: Dignity of Labour in Our Times''. Pondicherry: Navayana Pub. {{ISBN|9788189059095}} {{OCLC|184927533}} *Ilaiah, K., & Vyam, D. (2007). ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land: Dignity of Labour in Our Times''. Pondicherry: Navayana Pub. {{ISBN|9788189059095}} {{OCLC|184927533}}
*Ilaiah, K. '''' (SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2009) {{ISBN|9788132104339}} *Ilaiah, K. '''' (SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2009) {{ISBN|9788132104339}}
*Ilaiah, K. '' Untouchable God: A Novel on Caste and Race ''(Kolkata: Samya, 2011) {{ISBN|9788185604336}} {{OCLC|828612357}} *Ilaiah, K. '' Untouchable God: A Novel on Caste and Race ''(Kolkata: Samya, 2011) {{ISBN|9788185604336}} {{OCLC|828612357}}
*Ilaiah, K (1989-01-01). ''The State and Repressive Culture: The Andhra Experience''. Hyderabad: Swecha Prachuranalu. {{OCLC|21518320}} *Ilaiah, K (1989-01-01). ''The State and Repressive Culture: The Andhra Experience''. Hyderabad: Swecha Prachuranalu. {{OCLC|21518320}}
*Bonner, A., Ilaiah, K., Saha, S. K., Engineer, A. A., & Heuze, G. (1994). ''Democracy in India: A Hollow Shell''. Washington D.C: The American University Press. {{ISBN|1879383268}} {{OCLC|470188534}} *Bonner, A., Ilaiah, K., Saha, S. K., Engineer, A. A., & Heuze, G. (1994). ''Democracy in India: A Hollow Shell''. Washington D.C: The American University Press. {{ISBN|1879383268}} {{OCLC|470188534}}
*Ilaiah, K; ]; Centre for Contemporary Studies (1995-01-01). ''Caste or Class or Caste-class: A study in Dalitabhujan Consciousness and Struggles in Andhra Pradesh in 1980s'']. New Delhi: Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library {{OCLC|436463940}} *Ilaiah, K; ]; Centre for Contemporary Studies (1995-01-01). ''Caste or Class or Caste-class: A study in Dalitabhujan Consciousness and Struggles in Andhra Pradesh in 1980s''. New Delhi: Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library {{OCLC|436463940}}
*Ilaiah, K., & Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. (1996). ''In Search of the Roots of Anti-Caste Struggle: A Dalitist Reading of the Buddhist Discourse''. New Delhi: Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. {{OCLC|863611670}} *Ilaiah, K., & Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. (1996). ''In Search of the Roots of Anti-Caste Struggle: A Dalitist Reading of the Buddhist Discourse''. New Delhi: Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. {{OCLC|863611670}}
*Ilaiah, K., & Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. (1997). ''Productive Labour, Consciousness and History: The Dalitabahujan Alternative''. New Delhi: Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. {{OCLC|793342817}} *Ilaiah, K., & Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. (1997). ''Productive Labour, Consciousness and History: The Dalitabahujan Alternative''. New Delhi: Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. {{OCLC|793342817}}
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==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category|Kancha Ilaiah}}
{{Wikiquote}} {{Wikiquote}}
* "Leading Dalit Rights Campaigner in India" * "Leading Dalit Rights Campaigner in India"
* Washington Post feature on Ilaiah's children's book. *"" Washington Post feature on Ilaiah's children's book.
* "The State of Dalit Mobilization: An Interview with Kancha Ilaiah" * "The State of Dalit Mobilization: An Interview with Kancha Ilaiah"
* "Institutes like ] and ] should be closed down" * "Institutes like ] and ] should be closed down"
* "Merit of Reservations" * "Merit of Reservations"
* *{{usurped|1=}}
{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 18:53, 21 December 2024

Indian scholar, activist and writer (born 1952)

Kancha Ilaiah
Kancha Ilaiah at Kerala Literature Festival in 2018Ilaiah at Kerala Literature Festival in 2018
Born (1952-10-05) 5 October 1952 (age 72)
Papaiahpet, Warangal, Hyderabad State, India (now in Telangana, India)
Education
Occupation(s)Retired Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive

Policy (CSSEIP) at Maulana Azad National Urdu University,

Hyderabad
Known forWriter and speaker on Indian political thought
AwardsMahatma Jyotirao Phule Award

Nehru Fellow 1994-97

Manyawar Kanshiram Smriti Mahanayak Puraskar

Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd (born 5 October 1952) is an Indian political theorist, writer and a Dalit rights activist. He writes in both English and Telugu languages. His main domain of study and activism is the annihilation of caste.

Early life

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Kancha Ilaiah was born in the village of Papaiahpet of Chennaraopet mandal, Warangal district in present-day Telangana. He belongs to the Kuruma golla (Yadav) caste, a community of goatherds designated as an Other Backward Class. Ilaiah's father Kancha Komuraiah was always away from home while grazing sheep. The dominant figure in the family was his mother. Ilaiah credited his mother, Kancha Kattamma, as pivotal in shaping his political thought.

Ilaaih suffixed 'Shepherd' to his name symbolically, as he comes from a shepherding family.

Professional life

Ilaiah received an M.A. degree in political science and an M.Phil., awarded for his study of land reform in undivided Andhra Pradesh. He has been a recipient of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Award and was a Nehru Fellow between 1994 and 1997.

Ilaiah earned a Ph.D on the basis of his work exploring the political dimension of Buddhism, culminating in God as Political Philosopher - Buddha's Challenge to Brahminism. He later elaborated several of its key themes in his best-known book. Why I Am Not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy (1996). A chapter of the book, Hindu Death and Our Death has been reprinted in the book The Hunger of the Republic: Our Present in Retrospect, part of the India Since the 90s series published by Tulika Books.

Ilaiah has encouraged proficiency in the English language for Dalits, arguing that it would allow Dalits in India to intellectually engage the world outside India without non-Dalits speaking "for them". In May 2016, in protest against "Brahmanic hegemony" he says continues to persist in India, Ilaiah appended "Shepherd" to his name. Ilaiah identified in this choice recognition and reaffirmation of his family origins. As an English-language proper noun rather than its equivalent in an Indian language, "Shepherd" is meant to demonstrate a symbolic break with the cultural norms Ilaiah believed Brahmins sought to "impose" on Indian society. Ilaiah characterises his name change as a tool to break these norms and to value the work of what he terms "productive classes:" including Scheduled Castes and OBCs.

Kancha Ilaiah is an Ambedkarite. As an anti-caste activist, Ilaiah is often misidentified by the media as being a Dalit himself. Ilaiah identifies himself as a Sudra intellectual.

Kancha Ilaiah in 2024

In November 2015, Ilaiah stated that if Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of India credited with accession of a princely states into India amidst the intense violence and bloodletting that followed the creation of Pakistan, had been Prime Minister of India, India "would have become Pakistan".

Criticism

While working as an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Osmania University, several of Ilaiah's colleagues as well as academics affiliated with the university expressed, in an open-letter, their concern with respect to certain articles and opinions that Ilaiah had contributed to a local newspaper and advised him against writing material that could inflame sectarian discontent or prejudice.

In April 2016, Ilaiah gave a controversial remark that vegetarianism is anti-nationalism. On 18 September 2017, T. G. Venkatesh, a member of Indian Parliament representing the Telugu Desam Party and a prominent leader of the Arya Vysya said at a press conference that Ilaiah was a traitor and should be hanged because his writings were "intended to divide society." Ilaiah alleged that the members of Arya Vysya community had tried to kill him and lodged a police complaint when Arya Vysya community members attacked his car in 2017.

In September 2017, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu banned Ilaiah's book on Vyshas for hurting the sentiments of the community after Vysyas community members protested and demanded a ban on the book.

Appointments

Among Ilaiah's official appointments have been:

Selected publications

English language publications:

Telugu language publications:

  • ఐలయ్య, క. మన తత్వం: దళిత బహుజన తాత్వికత. హైదరాబాద్: హైదరాబాద్ బుక్ ట్రస్ట్

References

  1. Kannabiran, Kalpana (5 October 2017). "Taking aim at the messenger: on the attack on Kancha Ilaiah". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. ^ "The attempt to censor my writings is part of a larger game plan". Rediff. 24 May 2000. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  3. Kancha Ilaiah || Talking About One Of His Book || నేను హిందువుని ఎలా అవుతా, RTV Telugu, 1 March 2023, retrieved 8 May 2023; Event occurs from 2:25 to 2:32
  4. ^ "How anti-caste activist Kancha Ilaiah's mother was an inspiration for his rebellion". The News Minute. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  5. "How a caste reference in his 2009 book has come back to haunt Kancha Ilaiah". Hindustan Times. 16 October 2017.
  6. "How cow protection laws brutalise our culture". The Economic Times. 14 August 2016.
  7. Shepherd, Kancha Ilaiah (27 May 2016). "The violence of caste: Why I have changed my name to Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd". Scroll.in. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  8. ""Modi should ask sadhus to clean the streets"". The Hindu. 10 July 2016 – via www.thehindu.com.
  9. "Introduce English in all schools, says Kancha Ilaiah". The New Indian Express. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. Mathur, Swati (15 February 2013). "Kancha Ilaiah: Even if 10% dalit children got English education, India would change". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  11. Jain, Akshat (5 June 2016). "In defence of English: Blame the Indian education system, not the language". Scroll.in.
  12. "Good Shepherd: Dalit thinker Kancha Ilaiah on name, caste". Hindustan Times. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  13. "Threats to Kancha Ilaiah show India has learnt nothing from Gauri Lankesh's death". www.dailyo.in.
  14. "The Ethereal Realist | Outlook India Magazine". www.outlookindia.com/.
  15. "Gandhi was not a caste abolitionist: Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd". The Week.
  16. "India's President Ram Nath Kovind takes oath". www.aljazeera.com.
  17. Mondal, Sudipto (27 May 2016). "Good Shepherd: Dalit thinker Kancha Ilaiah on name, caste". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  18. "If Sardar Patel was PM, India would've become Pakistan: Kancha Ilaiah". Hindustan Times. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  19. "Vegetarianism is anti-nationalism: Kancha Ilaiah on Ambedkar's food democracy". Firstpost. 14 April 2016.
  20. "TD MP TG Venkatesh says 'Hang ilaiah' for his book". The Deccan Chronicle. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  21. "After vehicle pelted with stones, Kancha Ilaiah files plaint, says death threats against him". The New Indian Express. 24 September 2017.
  22. Scroll Staff (24 September 2017). "Writer Kancha Ilaiah says his car was attacked with stones in Telangana". Scroll.in.
  23. "Pawan Kalyan's tweet, comments by MPs make CM see red". Deccan Chronicle. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  24. Sharda, Ratan (27 September 2017). "TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu slams Kancha Ilaiah for provocative writing". NewsBharati. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  25. "3rd Cycle of Accreditation – NAAC, Self – Study Report, 2013" (PDF). Osmania University. 2013. p. 48. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.

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