The Hyderabad High Court on Monday accepted a petition filed by World Arya Vysya Mahasabha, Chennai, which sought a criminal case against writer and social scientist Kancha Ilaiah over remarks made against the community in his book.
Arya Vysya organisations have been holding protests in parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and burning the writer's effigies, seeking a ban on his book 'Komatollu Samajika Smagglarlu' (Komatollu are social smugglers).
The Times of India reported that the Mahasabha also sought a CBI probe into the alleged “fund flow from foreign elements” to the professor, and asked the court to direct the police to book a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act on the ground that he was making money through illegal sources.
A writ petition was also filed against the writer for reportedly misusing his position and causing “threat to social and national integrity”.
Last month, Kancha was allegedly attacked with slippers and stones, as he was heading towards Hyderabad, after attending a function in Bhupalpally in Telangana.
Kancha filed a police complaint accusing four people of attacking his vehicle and trying to kill him.
This had followed an earlier complaint filed by him, where he sought police protection, and said that he was receiving multiple death threats.
Last week, Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao hit out at the writer, saying, “Freedom of expression doesn’t confer upon anyone the right to insult as they wish. If there is a threat perception, Telangana police will review it.”
“Abuse of freedom of expression to deride, insult and target a specific community is reprehensible," he added.
Kancha has defended his book, telling reporters earlier, "Social Smuggling is a phrase. It is the economic process of exploitation, which means earning in business but not investing back into society."
Kancha is presently the Director, Center for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad.
IANS inputs