Well-known Telugu cine lyricist Jonnavithula is in a soup for allegedly justifying the inhuman practice of untouchability in a recent poem. The lyricist now faces a police complaint under provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Act.

A Brahmin by birth, Jonnavithula recently opined that physical distancing that has become the rational thing to do in the wake of Covid-19 was first conceived and practised in Indian culture. This has been interpreted by many as an indirect reference to the practice of untouchability by Jonnavithula.

Weeks after the lyricist's poem was made public, Battula Ram Prasad of Mala Welfare Association went to the Nampally police station in Hyderabad to file a complaint last month.

After the police made their homework, they booked Jonnavithula under the SC/ST Act and a section of the Prevention of Civil Rights Act earlier this week.