Andhra police serve notice to Kancha Ilaiah, deny permission to address Vijayawada meet

The Andhra Pradesh Police on Friday served a notice to writer and social activist Kancha Ilaiah, asking him not to visit Vijayawada on Saturday to address a public meeting.

Police officials from Vijayawada visited Ilaiah's house in Tarnaka in Hyderabad and told him there is no permission for any meeting or rally in the city as this could create law and order problems.

The writer was told prohibitory orders have already been imposed in the city.

Arya Vysya-Brahmana Aikya Vedika or the joint committee of Arya Vysya and Brahmin communities had threatened severe consequences if Ilaiah was allowed to visit the city and hold the meeting.

Aikya Vedika had also planned to hold a meeting to counter the one proposed to be organised by groups backing Ilaiah. 

However, it called off the meeting after an assurance by the police that the writer would not be allowed to address the meeting.

Reacting sharply to the notice served on him, Ilaiah alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government is resorting to undemocratic methods. 

He said the public meeting was planned by groups from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward classes to demand reservation in the private sector.

The Dalit thinker alleged that there is a grave threat to free speech and expression in Andhra Pradesh.

He has been facing protests from the Arya Vysya community for describing them as social smugglers in his Telugu book 'Samaajika smugglerlu komatollu'.

Arya Vysya communities are seeking a ban on the book and the arrest of the writer for hurting their sentiments.

The Supreme Court on October 15 refused to ban the book.

Meanwhile, a case was registered against Kancha by the Jawaharnagar police, under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, after a complaint alleged that Kancha wrote in his book, that Shudras were dark, which offended sentiments.