Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd (born 5 October 1952) is an Indian political theorist, writer and a Dalit rights activist. He is a former professor of political science at Osmania University and was the Director of the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. He writes in both English and Telugu language languages. His main domain of study and activism is the annihilation of caste.
Early life
Kancha Ilaiah was born in the village of Papaiahpet of
Chennaraopet mandal, Warangal district in present-day
Telangana.
He belongs to the
Kuruba caste,
[; Event occurs from 2:25 to 2:32] a community of
Herder, 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.
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".
Kancha Ilaiah is an Ambedkarite.
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.
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:
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Retired Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad
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Former Head of department, Political Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad
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Member of National Research Committee constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice, New Delhi
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Member – Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi
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Former Member of the National Book Trust, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, New Delhi for three years
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Member of the Planning Commission Sub Committee to formulate an agenda for land reforms for the XI Five Year Plan
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Member of the UGC Constitutional Committee to oversee the implementation of OBC reservations in all Central and State universities in India
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Former member of the Executive Council of Periyar Maniammai University (Tamil Nadu)
Selected publications
English language publications:
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Ilaiah, K. Why I Am Not a Hindu: A Sudra critique of Hindutva philosophy, culture and political economy (Calcutta: Samya, 1996)
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Ilaiah, K. God as Political Philosopher: Buddha's Challenge to Brahminism (Calcutta: Samya, 2001)
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Ilaiah, K. Buffalo Nationalism: A Critique of Spiritual Fascism (Calcutta: Samya, 2004)
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Ilaiah, K., & Vyam, D. (2007). Turning the Pot, Tilling the Land: Dignity of Labour in Our Times. Pondicherry: Navayana Pub.
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Ilaiah, K. Post-Hindu India: A Discourse in Dalit-Bahujan Socio-Spiritual and Scientific Revolution (SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd, 2009)
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Ilaiah, K. Untouchable God: A Novel on Caste and Race (Kolkata: Samya, 2011)
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Ilaiah, K (1989). The State and Repressive Culture: The Andhra Experience. Hyderabad: Swecha Prachuranalu.
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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.
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Ilaiah, K; Nehru Memorial Museum and Library; Centre for Contemporary Studies (1995). 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
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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.
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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.
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Ilaiah, K (1999). Reservations: Experience as Framework of Debate.
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D'Souza, J., Ilaiah, K., Raj, U., & Dalit Freedom Network. (2004). Dalit Freedom: Now and Forever; The Epic Struggle for Dalit Forever.
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Nisar, Meena Kandasamy, M., & Ilaiah, K. (2007). Ayyankali: Dalit Leader of Organic Protest. Calicut, Kerala: Other Books.
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Ilaiah, K (2010). The Weapon of the Other: Dalitbahujan Writings and the Remaking of Indian Nationalist Thought. Delhi: Longman.
Telugu language publications:
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ఐలయ్య, క. మన తత్వం: దళిత బహుజన తాత్వికత. హైదరాబాద్: హైదరాబాద్ బుక్ ట్రస్ట్
External links
