VIJAYAWADA: Controversial writer and political theorist professor Kancha Ilaiah will be felicitated at Gymkhana Grounds here on October 28.A Joint Action Committee of Dalit and Bahujan organisations will organise the felicitation programme. Balladeer Gadar is also expected to attend the meeting.
According to JAC co-convenor Melam Bhagya Rao, the JAC has planned a rally from B R Ambedkar’s Statue at Thummulapalli Khsehtraiah Kalakshtram to Gymkhana Grounds.
“We are expecting participation from all the 13 districts in the State,” said Bhagya Rao. The purpose of the rally is to focus on how freedom of expression is being stamped out and the need for everyone to raise their voice against the affront on the individual’s freedom guaranteed by the Constitution of India. He said that the trenchant criticism and threat to Ilaiah were nothing but an attempt of keep Dalits under perpetual subjugation.
Rao added they had informed the police about the rally and the public meeting and sought their help in conducting the two events peacefully. “We are planning to take out a peaceful rally though some voices have already been raised against us,” he said.
When contacted, Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang said that they have not received any application so far seeking permission either for the rally or for the public meeting.“If anyone applies for permission at our Unified Police Services Centre (UPSC) at the police commissioner’s office, we will then take a call,” he said, adding that “if the public meeting is inside an auditorium, we may allow it”.