Telangana Police arrest Dalita Sena leader over Ambedkar-critical book

Hamara Prasad, founder of the Rashtriya Dalita Sena, was arrested by Telangana Police on September 17, a day before the scheduled launch of his Telugu book Kalpitha Nayakudu (The Fabricated Leader), which takes a critical view of Dr BR Ambedkar. The arrest followed protests across several districts over the book's contents and title. A case was registered at the Central Crime Station, Hyderabad, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning alleged statements causing fear, promoting enmity, and criminal conspiracy.

The roughly 730-page work challenges established narratives surrounding Ambedkar and is presented as an invitation for readers to question widely circulated political and historical accounts. Prasad stated the book seeks to challenge personality cults and present what he describes as the "real history" of India.

The arrest raises broader questions about the relationship between public protests and state action: whether law-and-order situations following controversial speech can effectively determine what publications are permitted, and whether such disputes are resolved through debate or enforcement.