| Revision as of 20:57, 27 January 2009 edit18.96.5.136 (talk) →Background: rm apparent nonsense← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:48, 2 February 2009 edit undoAnand Navayana (talk | contribs)6 editsm I have added some new book info and corrected the inaccurately spelt title of his best-selling book. Provided new links to some reviews.Next edit → | ||
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| He is an activist in the ]-Bahujan (Scheduled and Backwards Castes) movement. He is also affiliated with the ], headed by Dr. Joseph D'Souza and other Indian Christian activists . Ilaiah and D'Souza are also associated with the USA based ]. His books are promoted and sold by the ]. | He is an activist in the ]-Bahujan (Scheduled and Backwards Castes) movement. He is also affiliated with the ], headed by Dr. Joseph D'Souza and other Indian Christian activists . Ilaiah and D'Souza are also associated with the USA based ]. His books are promoted and sold by the ]. | ||
| He has authored several books and publishes articles regularly in national news papers and magazines. His book published in 1996, "Why I am not a Hindu |
He has authored several books and publishes articles regularly in national news papers and magazines. His book published in 1996, "Why I am not a Hindu: A Sudra Critique of Hindutva Philosophy, Culture and Political Economy" is a bestseller. He has also authored ''God As Political Philosopher: Budha's challenge to Brahminism'', ''A Hollow Shell'', ''The State and Repressive Culture'', ''Manatatwam'' (in Telugu), ''Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism'' and a book for children and young adults, ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land''. Dr. Ilaiah in his efforts to internationalize the issue of caste discrimination testified on 6 October 2005 before a ] subcommittee against the practice of ] and urged the US Government to work with the Indian government to end the persecution of Dalits and religious minority groups in India. | ||
| === ''Why I Am Not A Hindu'' === | === ''Why I Am Not A Hindu'' === | ||
| His book, ''Why I Am Not A Hindu'' |
His book, ''Why I Am Not A Hindu'' offers an insight into the life-world of Dalit-bahujans, the oppressed sudras and ati-sudras of society. Ilaiah seeks to combine the bahuajan philosophy of Jotiba Phule's and the I-am-not-a-Hindu stance of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. In this book, he argues that the life-world of the dalits and sudra masses holds little in common with the the Brahmin religious experience{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. By explaining this dichotomy from his own personal experience as an sudra-OBC, he advocates the "Dalitization" of Indian culture. As Ilaiah claims, the Dalit philosophy prizes productivity over personal pleasure and values the graciousness of community over the "elevation of Brahmin men" at the expense of women and Dalits/OBCs. Ilaiah asserts that this shift in societal thinking will enable India to become a more prosperous and egalitarian society{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. | ||
| The book was criticized by leading historian and ] holder ] for promoting ] views concerning the origins of ]s, and for abusing ]'s theories concerning the origins of social strata in India as ammunition for ] confrontation (see ]). Thapar essentially dubs this sort of historiography as "extreme" and "weak".<ref>, by ], Transcript of lecture delivered on 11th October 1999, | The book was criticized by leading historian and ] holder ] for promoting ] views concerning the origins of ]s, and for abusing ]'s theories concerning the origins of social strata in India as ammunition for ] confrontation (see ]). Thapar essentially dubs this sort of historiography as "extreme" and "weak".<ref>, by ], Transcript of lecture delivered on 11th October 1999, | ||
| at the Academic Staff College, JNU</ref> Journalist and editor of the Telugu daily, ], M V R Sastry criticized the book for its 'undisguised hatred for the targeted community (Hindus), its crudeness, a general lack of scholarship and academic rigor, the abundance of cheap rhetoric, distortion of facts and finally, the author's total lack of understanding of the religion it seeks to denigrate'<ref>, Critique of 'Why I am Not a Hindu', by Shri MVR Sastry </ref> | at the Academic Staff College, JNU</ref> Journalist and editor of the Telugu daily, ], M V R Sastry criticized the book for its 'undisguised hatred for the targeted community (Hindus), its crudeness, a general lack of scholarship and academic rigor, the abundance of cheap rhetoric, distortion of facts and finally, the author's total lack of understanding of the religion it seeks to denigrate'<ref>, Critique of 'Why I am Not a Hindu', by Shri MVR Sastry </ref> | ||
| There was attempt to muffle Ilaiah's voice when a letter was addressed to him by Dr. Pannalal, the ] of ]. The registrar alleged in his letter that some of Ilaiah's articles in popular newspapers were increasing ]. Seeking to pre-censor Ilaiah's freedom of expression, Pannalal said that Ilaiah should "write within the canons of conduct of our profession" and his articles "should not accentuate prejudices and inflame hatred among various sections of society<ref name="rediff"></ref>. Ilaiah has responded in interviews that the book aims to suggest ways to "eliminate the caste system" and proposes "unity on an equal basis"<ref name="rediff"/>. Following a complaint from Ilaiah that the letter constrained his "basic right to academic freedom" the Osmania University Teachers Association submitted a "representation" asking the Registrar to withdraw the letter<ref name="rediff"/>. | |||
| === ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land'' === | |||
| His book, ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land'', was published by Navayana in 2007. Written in the wake of ugly, uncouth anti-reservation protests that erupted in India in 2006, with stunning illustrations by gond -adivasi artist Durgabai Vyam, it seeks to inculcate a sense of dignity of labour among students. According to Unicef-India's country director Samphe D. Lhalungpa quoted in the ''Washington Post'' , "It's a hugely important book. Every Indian child should read it." ''The Hindu'' in a review said, "this book would be a valuable addition to those who teach social sciences in schools". Uncief distributed 14,000 copies of the Telugu edition (by Hyderabad Book Trust) of the book among schoolchildren. The Tamil edition was recently published by Tulika . The Hindi edition will soon be published by Eklavya and the Malayalam edition by DC Books. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 37: | ||
| *''Democracy in India: A Hollow Shell'' (edited by Arthur Bonner) | *''Democracy in India: A Hollow Shell'' (edited by Arthur Bonner) | ||
| *''Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual ]'' (Calcutta: Samya, 2004) | *''Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual ]'' (Calcutta: Samya, 2004) | ||
| *''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land: Dignity of Labour in India'' (illustrated by Durgabai Vyam) | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 11:48, 2 February 2009
Kancha Ilaiah is the chairman of the political science department at Osmania University, a social activist and author. He is a Buddhist and a major figure in the ideological movement against the Indian caste system. His polemic is often labelled as anti-Hindu by several of his critics (both Hindu and Muslim), including Hindu advocacy groups, and he has himself stated that he hates Hinduism.
Background
He was born into Kuruma Golla (an 'other backward caste' and not a Dalit, or outcaste) family on October 5 1952 and was brought up in a small south Indian village. His family's main profession was sheep husbandry. He earned his doctorate degree in political science at the Osmania University in Hyderabad, India. His Ph.D. thesis was based on Gautama Buddha's political philosophy.
Activism
He is an activist in the Dalit-Bahujan (Scheduled and Backwards Castes) movement. He is also affiliated with the All India Christian Council, headed by Dr. Joseph D'Souza and other Indian Christian activists . Ilaiah and D'Souza are also associated with the USA based Dalit Freedom Network. His books are promoted and sold by the Dalit Freedom Network.
He has authored several books and publishes articles regularly in national news papers and magazines. His book published in 1996, "Why I am not a Hindu: A Sudra Critique of Hindutva Philosophy, Culture and Political Economy" is a bestseller. He has also authored God As Political Philosopher: Budha's challenge to Brahminism, A Hollow Shell, The State and Repressive Culture, Manatatwam (in Telugu), Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism and a book for children and young adults, Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land. Dr. Ilaiah in his efforts to internationalize the issue of caste discrimination testified on 6 October 2005 before a U.S. Congress subcommittee against the practice of untouchability and urged the US Government to work with the Indian government to end the persecution of Dalits and religious minority groups in India.
Why I Am Not A Hindu
His book, Why I Am Not A Hindu offers an insight into the life-world of Dalit-bahujans, the oppressed sudras and ati-sudras of society. Ilaiah seeks to combine the bahuajan philosophy of Jotiba Phule's and the I-am-not-a-Hindu stance of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. In this book, he argues that the life-world of the dalits and sudra masses holds little in common with the the Brahmin religious experience. By explaining this dichotomy from his own personal experience as an sudra-OBC, he advocates the "Dalitization" of Indian culture. As Ilaiah claims, the Dalit philosophy prizes productivity over personal pleasure and values the graciousness of community over the "elevation of Brahmin men" at the expense of women and Dalits/OBCs. Ilaiah asserts that this shift in societal thinking will enable India to become a more prosperous and egalitarian society.
The book was criticized by leading historian and Kluge Chair holder Romila Thapar for promoting pseudohistorical views concerning the origins of Dalits, and for abusing Max Mueller's theories concerning the origins of social strata in India as ammunition for Caste confrontation (see Aryan race#British Raj). Thapar essentially dubs this sort of historiography as "extreme" and "weak". Journalist and editor of the Telugu daily, Andhra Bhoomi, M V R Sastry criticized the book for its 'undisguised hatred for the targeted community (Hindus), its crudeness, a general lack of scholarship and academic rigor, the abundance of cheap rhetoric, distortion of facts and finally, the author's total lack of understanding of the religion it seeks to denigrate'
There was attempt to muffle Ilaiah's voice when a letter was addressed to him by Dr. Pannalal, the registrar of Osmania University. The registrar alleged in his letter that some of Ilaiah's articles in popular newspapers were increasing social tension. Seeking to pre-censor Ilaiah's freedom of expression, Pannalal said that Ilaiah should "write within the canons of conduct of our profession" and his articles "should not accentuate prejudices and inflame hatred among various sections of society. Ilaiah has responded in interviews that the book aims to suggest ways to "eliminate the caste system" and proposes "unity on an equal basis". Following a complaint from Ilaiah that the letter constrained his "basic right to academic freedom" the Osmania University Teachers Association submitted a "representation" asking the Registrar to withdraw the letter.
Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land
His book, Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land, was published by Navayana in 2007. Written in the wake of ugly, uncouth anti-reservation protests that erupted in India in 2006, with stunning illustrations by gond -adivasi artist Durgabai Vyam, it seeks to inculcate a sense of dignity of labour among students. According to Unicef-India's country director Samphe D. Lhalungpa quoted in the Washington Post , "It's a hugely important book. Every Indian child should read it." The Hindu in a review said, "this book would be a valuable addition to those who teach social sciences in schools". Uncief distributed 14,000 copies of the Telugu edition (by Hyderabad Book Trust) of the book among schoolchildren. The Tamil edition was recently published by Tulika . The Hindi edition will soon be published by Eklavya and the Malayalam edition by DC Books.
See also
References
- Archive of Editorial on Himal Magazine
- HAF Appreciates Congressional Hearing on Dalit Rights; Concerned by Biases
- In an interview, Dr. Kanch Illaiha said, "Yes, I hate Hinduism" The Rediff Interview/Dr Kancha Ilaiah
- THE ARYAN QUESTION REVISITED, by Romila Thapar, Transcript of lecture delivered on 11th October 1999, at the Academic Staff College, JNU
- , Critique of 'Why I am Not a Hindu', by Shri MVR Sastry
- ^ The Rediff Interview , Dr Kancha Ilaiah
Bibliography
- Why I Am Not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy(Calcutta: Samya, 1996)
- God as Political Philosopher: Buddha's Challenge to Brahminism (Calcutta: Samya, 2001)
- Democracy in India: A Hollow Shell (edited by Arthur Bonner)
- Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism (Calcutta: Samya, 2004)
- Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land: Dignity of Labour in India (illustrated by Durgabai Vyam)
External links
- Rediff.com interview "The attempt to censor my writings is part of a larger game plan"
- Ambedkar.org interview with Ilaiah "Why Pull The Ratha Of Hinduism Without Having The Right To Sit In It?"
- Ghadar interview "The State of Dalit Mobilization: An Interview with Kancha Ilaiah"
- Bharatvani.org article "Kancha Ilaiah’s ‘Why I am Not a Hindu’: A Critical Review by Shri M. V. R. Sastry"
- DNA India Interview with Ilaiah "Institutes like IITs and IIMs should be closed down"
- Article by Ilaiah "Merit of Reservations"
- Opinion piece "Anger Is No Substitute For Substance, Mr. Kancha Ilaiah"
- Christianity Today interview with Ilaiah "Leading Dalit Rights Campaigner in India"
- Ambedkar.org interview with Ilaiah