Rajya Sabha member T.G. Venkatesh on Tuesday charged writer Kancha Ilaiah with habitually targeting various communities and demanded that he alter the name and contents of his book against Arya Vysyas titled ‘Samajika Smugglerlu Komatollu’.
‘Amend law’
Addressing the media here, Mr. Venkatesh asserted that Prof. Ilaiah had no right to criticise religions, communities, their ancestors, and beliefs.
Justifying his demand for a ban on the book, he asserted that books authored by noted persons such as Taslima Nasreen and Salman Rushdie had been banned.
“The law stipulates a 10-year imprisonment for those who spread hatred between communities through their writings,” he said, and demanded that the law be amended to stipulate their hanging.
The Supreme Court did not dismiss but only disposed of the petition against Prof. Ilaiah’s book saying the request for ban on the book had to be scrutinised, Mr. Venkatesh asserted.
Terming Prof. Ilaiah’s self-imposed house arrest as a high drama, the MP said he was going to TV studios, danced in a programme and celebrated his birthday with the contributions of the students.
Mr. Venkatesh also flayed the writer for approaching the U.S. Senate claiming threat to his life.
Referring to a US senator’s address in the US Congress referring to Prof. Ilaiah, the MP advised him to set their house in order and curb the unbridled gun culture in the US.
“Unlike in the US, all the religions and communities are respected in India,” Mr. Venkatesh said.
“Would Americans be quiet if their religion or ancestors are targeted?” he asked.