About: Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd (born 5 October 1952) is an Indian political theorist, writer and a Dalit rights activist. He writes in both English and Telugu languages. His main domain of study and activism is the annihilation of caste.[1] Early life This article is of a series on Criticism of religion By religion By religious figure By text Religious violence Bibliographies Related topics vte Kancha Ilaiah was born in the village of Papaiahpet of Chennaraopet mandal, Warangal district in present-day Telangana.[2] He belongs to the Kuruma caste,[3][4] a community of goatherds designated as an Other Backward Class.[5] Ilaiah's father Kancha Komuraiah was always away from home while grazing sheep.[4] The dominant figure in the family was his mother. Ilaiah credited his mother, Kancha Kattamma, as pivotal in shaping his political thought.[6] Ilaaih suffixed 'Shepherd' to his name symbolically, as he comes from a shepherding family.[7]