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{{wikiquote}}'''Kancha Ilaiah''' is the [[chairman]] of the [[political science]] department at [[Osmania University]], a [[social activist]] and author. He is a [[Buddhist]] {{Citation needed|date=July 2007}}and a major figure in the [[ideology|ideological]] movement against the [[Indian caste system]]. His polemic is often labelled as [[anti-Hindu]] by several of his critics.,<ref>[http://www.countercurrents.org/dalit-anand080603.htm Archive of Editorial on Himal Magazine]</ref> including Hindu advocacy groups<ref>[http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/newsletter/10-14-2005/newsletter.htm HAF Appreciates Congressional Hearing on Dalit Rights; Concerned by Biases]</ref>, and he has himself stated that he hates Hinduism.<ref>In an interview, Dr. Kanch Illaiha said, "Yes, I hate Hinduism" [http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jan/17inter.htm The Rediff Interview/Dr Kancha Ilaiah]</ref> Ilaiah is also a prominent endorser of the [[antisemitic]] and [[anti-Hindu]] publication [[Dalit Voice]]<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/03/30/stories/2004033003660500.htm Dalit literature] ''[[The Hindu]]'', March 30, 2004.</ref>.
{{wikiquote}}'''Kancha Ilaiah''' is the [[chairman]] of the [[political science]] department at [[Osmania University]], a [[social activist]] and author. He is a [[Buddhist]] {{Citation needed|date=July 2007}}and a major figure in the [[ideology|ideological]] movement against the [[Indian caste system]]. He is often labelled as [[anti-Hindu]] by several Hindu advocacy groups<ref>[http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/newsletter/10-14-2005/newsletter.htm HAF Appreciates Congressional Hearing on Dalit Rights; Concerned by Biases]</ref>. Ilaiah is a prominent endorser [[Dalit Voice]] which is critical of [[caste system]] and [[Hinduism]] in general.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/03/30/stories/2004033003660500.htm Dalit literature] ''[[The Hindu]]'', March 30, 2004.</ref>.
== Background==
== Background==
He was born into [[Kuruma]] Golla (an '[[Other Backward Class|other backward caste]]' and not a ''[[Dalit (outcaste)|Dalit]]'', or outcaste) family on October 5, 1952 and was brought up in a small [[south India]]n village. His family's main profession was [[sheep husbandry]]. He earned his doctorate degree in political science at the [[Osmania University]] in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[India]]. His Ph.D. thesis was based on [[Gautama Buddha]]'s [[political philosophy]].
He was born into [[Kuruma]] Golla (an '[[Other Backward Class|other backward caste]]' and not a ''[[Dalit (outcaste)|Dalit]]'', or outcaste) family on October 5, 1952 and was brought up in a small [[south India]]n village. His family's main profession was [[sheep husbandry]]. He earned his doctorate degree in political science at the [[Osmania University]] in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[India]]. His Ph.D. thesis was based on [[Gautama Buddha]]'s [[political philosophy]].
During a recent interview in CNN IBN (Indian wing of CNN) he went ahead and commented that all Hindu religious leaders and organizations were totally irresponsible, cash rich and also that Christian organizations were the only ones serving the purpose of education.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}
During a recent interview in CNN IBN (Indian wing of CNN) he went ahead and commented that all Hindu religious leaders and organizations were totally irresponsible, cash rich and also that Christian organizations were the only ones serving the purpose of education.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} He has said that he hates Hinduism.<ref>In an interview, Dr. Kanch Illaiha said, "Yes, I hate Hinduism" [http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jan/17inter.htm The Rediff Interview/Dr Kancha Ilaiah]</ref>


== Activism==
== Activism==
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His book, ''Why I Am Not A Hindu'' purports to the life-experience of the Dalits and Other Backward Castes and alleges that their poverty-ridden experience holds little connection to the Brahmin religious experience<ref name="yogindersikand.blogspot.com"/>. By explaining this dichotomy from his own personal experience as an 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<ref name="yogindersikand.blogspot.com"/>.
His book, ''Why I Am Not A Hindu'' purports to the life-experience of the Dalits and Other Backward Castes and alleges that their poverty-ridden experience holds little connection to the Brahmin religious experience<ref name="yogindersikand.blogspot.com"/>. By explaining this dichotomy from his own personal experience as an 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<ref name="yogindersikand.blogspot.com"/>.


The book was criticized by leading historian and [[John W. Kluge Center|Kluge Chair]] holder [[Romila Thapar]] for promoting [[pseudohistory|pseudohistorical]] views concerning the origins of [[Dalit]]s, 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".<ref>[http://members.tripod.com/ascjnu/aryan.html THE ARYAN QUESTION REVISITED], by [[Romila Thapar]], Transcript of lecture delivered on 11th October 1999,
The book was criticized by leading historian and [[John W. Kluge Center|Kluge Chair]] holder [[Romila Thapar]] for promoting [[pseudohistory|pseudohistorical]] views concerning the origins of [[Dalit]]s, 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|Aryan race]]). Thapar essentially dubs this sort of historiography as "extreme" and "weak".<ref>[http://members.tripod.com/ascjnu/aryan.html THE ARYAN QUESTION REVISITED], by [[Romila Thapar]], Transcript of lecture delivered on 11th October 1999,
at the Academic Staff College, JNU</ref> 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'<ref>[http://www.bharatvani.org/indology/Ilaiah.html], 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, [[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'<ref>[http://www.bharatvani.org/indology/Ilaiah.html], Critique of 'Why I am Not a Hindu', by Shri MVR Sastry</ref>


Ilaiah was censured by for publishing "Why I am not a Hindu" in a letter addressed to him by Dr. Pannalal, the [[Registrar (academic)|registrar]] of [[Osmania University]]. The registrar stated in his letter that, in his opinion, some articles in popular newspapers on the book were increasing [[Communalism (South Asia)|social tension]]. He 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">[http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/24ap.htm The Rediff Interview , Dr Kancha Ilaiah]</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"/>.
Ilaiah was censured by for publishing "Why I am not a Hindu" in a letter addressed to him by Dr. Pannalal, the [[Registrar (academic)|registrar]] of [[Osmania University]]. The registrar stated in his letter that, in his opinion, some articles in popular newspapers on the book were increasing [[Communalism (South Asia)|social tension]]. He 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">[http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/24ap.htm The Rediff Interview , Dr Kancha Ilaiah]</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"/>. However, Prof. Ilaiah remains today as an active Dalit rights campaigner for openly criticizing Hinduism, for it's 4,000 yr old Casteism. Though, there has been much opposition to his books and idealogy, the facts that the Dalits have been continuously subjected to Hindu Casteism has not been denied by any of his critics. His books have become the guiding -posts for many Dalit youngsters for exposing the Hindu Casteism and thereby explaining the Dalit struggle, in rich historical details.


=== ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land'' ===
=== ''Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land'' ===
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Varnas]]
* [[Caste system]]
* [[Anti-Hindu]]
* [[Dalit]]
* [[Reservation in India]]
* [[Ambedkar]]
* [[Buddhism]]
* [[Anti-Brahminism]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhists]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhists]]
[[Category:Pseudohistory]]
[[Category:Anti-Hinduism]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:1952 births]]

Revision as of 19:25, 25 April 2010

Wikiquote has quotations related to Kancha Ilaiah.

Kancha Ilaiah is the chairman of the political science department at Osmania University, a social activist and author. He is a Buddhist [citation needed]and a major figure in the ideological movement against the Indian caste system. He is often labelled as anti-Hindu by several Hindu advocacy groups[1]. Ilaiah is a prominent endorser Dalit Voice which is critical of caste system and Hinduism in general.[2].

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. During a recent interview in CNN IBN (Indian wing of CNN) he went ahead and commented that all Hindu religious leaders and organizations were totally irresponsible, cash rich and also that Christian organizations were the only ones serving the purpose of education.[citation needed] He has said that he hates Hinduism.[3]

Activism

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 critique of Hindutva from a Dalit-Bahujan perspective" became the best seller. He also authored God As Political Philosopher: Budha's challenge to Brahminism, A Hollow Shell, The State and Repressive Culture, Manatatwam (in Telugu), and Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism. Dr. Ilaiah in his efforts to internationalize the Dalit issues for the first time, ; on 6 October 2005, he testified before a U.S. Congress subcommittee against the practice of untouchability and urged the US Government to work with the Indian government to end what he said was the persecution of Dalits and religious minority groups in India.

He has also been critical of the Namaste claiming it to be an indicator of social inequality in Hinduism. He says:[4]

Take a very simple thing—the Hindu namaste, folding your hands to greet someone—is a very powerful symbolic statement. It suggests that I recognise you but you should not touch me. In contrast, the custom that the Christians introduced of shaking of hands is a touching relationship, while the Muslims go even further and physically embrace you. Even today in the villages the Muslims are the only people who actually physically embrace the Dalit-Bahujans.

Why I Am Not A Hindu

His book, Why I Am Not A Hindu purports to the life-experience of the Dalits and Other Backward Castes and alleges that their poverty-ridden experience holds little connection to the Brahmin religious experience[4]. By explaining this dichotomy from his own personal experience as an 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[4].

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). Thapar essentially dubs this sort of historiography as "extreme" and "weak".[5] 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'[6]

Ilaiah was censured by for publishing "Why I am not a Hindu" in a letter addressed to him by Dr. Pannalal, the registrar of Osmania University. The registrar stated in his letter that, in his opinion, some articles in popular newspapers on the book were increasing social tension. He 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"[7]. Ilaiah has responded in interviews that the book aims to suggest ways to "eliminate the caste system" and proposes "unity on an equal basis"[7]. 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[7]. However, Prof. Ilaiah remains today as an active Dalit rights campaigner for openly criticizing Hinduism, for it's 4,000 yr old Casteism. Though, there has been much opposition to his books and idealogy, the facts that the Dalits have been continuously subjected to Hindu Casteism has not been denied by any of his critics. His books have become the guiding -posts for many Dalit youngsters for exposing the Hindu Casteism and thereby explaining the Dalit struggle, in rich historical details.

Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land

Ilaiah's book, Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land, was published in 2007. According to Unicef-India's country director Samphe D. Lhalungpa quoted in the Washington Post [2], "It's a hugely important book. Every Indian child should read it." The Hindu [3] 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 of the book, published by Hyderabad Book Trust, [4] among government schoolchildren. The Tamil edition was recently published by Tulika [5]. The Hindi edition has been published by Eklavya [6] and the Malayalam edition is forthcoming from DC Books [7].

See also

References

  1. ^ HAF Appreciates Congressional Hearing on Dalit Rights; Concerned by Biases
  2. ^ Dalit literature The Hindu, March 30, 2004.
  3. ^ In an interview, Dr. Kanch Illaiha said, "Yes, I hate Hinduism" The Rediff Interview/Dr Kancha Ilaiah
  4. ^ a b c http://yogindersikand.blogspot.com/2008/02/interview-kancha-ilaiah-on-dalits.html
  5. ^ THE ARYAN QUESTION REVISITED, by Romila Thapar, Transcript of lecture delivered on 11th October 1999, at the Academic Staff College, JNU
  6. ^ [1], Critique of 'Why I am Not a Hindu', by Shri MVR Sastry
  7. ^ a b c 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)

External links

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