Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd / Image courtesy: Sabrang India
The Hindu reports that intrepid academic Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd's car was attacked with stones and chappals by a group of people belonging to the Vaisya community. Mr.Ilaiah said he was returning to Hyderabad after attending a meeting of the Telangana Mass and Social Organisations Forum (T-MASS). The protesters blocked his car and squatted in front of it. Mr. Ilaiah called up the activists of T-MASS, who alerted the police and rushed to the spot. The police shielded Mr. Ilaiah and took him to the station, where he lodged a complaint. He was provided police escort to continue his journey.
Kancha Iliah Shepherd's statement:
I and Dr. Bheenaveni Ramaiah (Assistant Professor of Sociology, Osmania University), one of my relatives and my driver narrowly missed a murderous attack at Parakal, Bhupalpally district on 23 September 2017 by the Arya-Vaisya forces at 4.45 pm. In this context, I am issuing this statement.
They were about 30 and more people with big stones in their hands at the Ambedkar statue, at the road turning point junction towards Warangal. Some attackers started chasing my car hitting it from behind from Bhupalapalli onwards. They would have attacked us at the Bhupalapalli red light, but the speed of my moving car, once the green light appeared saved us there. With pre-plan a team was also waiting at Parkal. There my driver took a quick turn to the nearby police station in Parakal in highest speed possible. The mob also followed my car upto the police station.
Thankfully all the police personal quickly covered my vehicle. The CI and SI provided protection. The Arya-Vaisyas tried to push themselves into the Police Station. They waited there till I gave the petition and started with two protection police vehicles.
As the police followed us in two vehicles, as we reached Ghanpur, there were several Arya-Vaisyas on the road to attack our car even when the police were there. There again the local CI protected with a great skill by taking us through village roads and could reach Hyderabad safely in the night by 10pm. It was a fear stricken travel.
Ever since my effigy burning on September 10, 2017 started I had to lodge three cases. Two in Osmania PS after Arya-Vaisya leaders Ramakrishna and Ramana’s threats. The second one after the fatwa issued by TG Venkatesh MP, TDP and also now after the Parkal murderous attack.
The national parties like Congress, CPM and CPI did not even condemn at the national level.
The Telangana Congress, TDP and other parties were also silent. Only Telangana CPM and CPI condemned. The ruling TRS and BJP were all the time supporting the Arya-Vaisays and abusing me on the TV channels. No major human right activists came forward in my support within Telangana, quite tragic.
In my two petitions at Osmania I requested for strong police protection at my house. That is also not provided.
I am losing faith in the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of Speech also.
In this fearful situation I took the following decisions:
1) Till October 4, 2017 end I impose a self-house arrest and remain at Home. If I need to go out on personal needs like (medical and other) I will inform the Osmania Police Station.
2) I remain silent for all the media networkers of the State. If they are national or international by appointment I may speak. That is also in good faith.I thank my driver and the police officials involved in my protection.
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