Noted Telugu lyricist Jonnavithula Ramalingeswara Rao has stoked controversy by endorsing the practice of untouchability in the name of social distancing, in the wake of novel virus COVID-19. Subsequently, a case has been filed against him under the Prevention of Atrocities Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. The matter was brought to light by T elangana Mala Welfare Association president, Battula Ram Prasad, who then approached the Nampally police and filed a complaint on May 21.
Jonnavithula hailing from Brahmin community praising the practice of his culture said in the song, “The idea of keeping distance has become a mantra to ward off death. All other nations’ solutions have failed. The power of Indian culture has been manifested”. The song was uploaded in a devotional YouTube channel called Chamiraju News. Meanwhile, speaking about the song said, “The poem contains malice, a message and direction to people in India to restore the practice of untouchability and follow the discriminatory Hindu code propounded by Manu. He is also preaching humans across the world to follow the heinous practice of untouchability”. He sough an apology from Jonnavithula too.
