Kerala Chief Minister and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister are to jointly inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Vaikom Satyagraha.
What is Vaikom Satyagraha?
Vaikom is a serene town in Kottayam, Kerala.
The Vaikom Satyagraha was launched on March 30, 1924 against the ban imposed on members of marginalized communities in the surroundings of Vaikom Mahadevar Temple.
It marked the dawn of temple entry movements across India.
It was launched by leaders in Kerala such as T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon and George Joseph, on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi.
A march comprising of ‘upper caste’ Hindus who supported the reform commenced in Vaikom and ended at the capital of Trivandrum.
They marched with 25,000 signatures of ‘forward caste’ Hindus, for opening the Vaikom’s temple roads to all castes.
Large-scale participation of women was witnessed for the first time during the Satyagraha, marking the passage of women into the socio-political consciousness of the country.
The protest sustained itself for more than one and a half years, leading to many arrests and satyagrahis being jailed.
Even the Akalis from Punjab travelled to Vaikom to supply food to the protesters.
What is the role of Periyar?
Leaders such as Neelakandan Nampoothiri and George Joseph requested Periyar to lead the protest.
Periyar accepted the request and led the protest making the protest successful.
Thiru. Vi. Kalyanasundaram (Thiru.Vi.Ka.) conferred the title Vaikom Veerar (Hero of Vaikom) on Periyar.
Tamil Nadu played a pivotal role in Vaikom Satyagraha, which symbolised a struggle by the untouchables.
Emperumal Naidu and Sivathanu Pillai were prominent leaders in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu.
What are the impacts of temple entry movement?
In 1925, the government of the Travancore princely state declared that people could enter three of the four streets around Vaikom temple thus bringing the protest to an end.
It paved way for the temple entry proclamation of Kerala in 1936.
In 1928, backward castes got the right to walk on public roads inn all temples in Travancore.
It led to various temple entry movements across India thereby promoting social justice and equality for all.
Sanchara resolution
It is a resolution for free entry to the streets around the temple.
The resolution was supported by higher cates in the assembly.
But, it was defeated by a single vote in the Assembly by the open support of the traditionalists and the indirect pressure of the government.
