Vaikom Satyagraha

Prelims level : History in News Mains level : GS-I Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present - significant events, personalities, issues.
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Why in News?

  • Precisely a century ago, Kerala’s Vaikom town which was then in the princely state of Travancore became the epicentre of a historic non-violent movement against untouchability and caste discrimination.

Background:

  • Vaikom Satyagraha that lasted for 604 days (20 months) from March 30, 1924 to November 23, 1925 marked the dawn of temple entry movements across India.
  • According to the prevalent caste system in Kerala and the rest of India, low-caste Hindus were not allowed to enter the temples.
  • In the Kakinada meet of the Congress Party in 1923, T K Madhavan presented a report citing the discrimination that the depressed castes’ people were facing in Kerala.
  • It was after this session that movements against untouchability needed to be promoted.
  • In Kerala, a committee was formed comprising people of different castes to fight untouchability.
  • The committee chaired by K Kelappan, comprised of T K Madhavan, Velayudha Menon, K Neelakantan Namboothiri and T R Krishnaswami Iyer.
  • Other prominent figures included Kurur Neelakanthan Namboodiri and Mannathu Padmanabhan
  • In February 1924, they decided to launch a ‘Kerala Paryatanam’ in order to get temple entry and also the right to use public roads for every Hindu irrespective of caste or creed.

About Vaikom:

  • Vaikom is situated on the western side of Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala.
  • It shares its border with Vembanad Lake.
  • Its importance in Indian history is due to the Vaikom Satyagraha against untouchability, in which Mahatma Gandhi and Periyar Ramasamy participated.

Significance of the Vaikom Satyagraha:

  • It became a first struggle for human rights in India
  • It became a laboratory for testing important methods such as
  • Instilled rationality among the masses.

Role of Periyar in Vaikom Satyagraha:

  • The satyagraha began on March 30,1924 with the active support of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee(KPCC).
  • The KPCC wrote to Periyar pleading with him to lead the satyagraha.
  • As he was then the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, Periyar handed over temporary charge to Rajaji before reaching Vaikom on April 13, 1924.
  • He was part of every consultative meeting, peace committee, campaign party, etc., including the eight-member deputation constituted to meet the Diwan.
  • Every major personality who came to Vaikom met with Periyar, this included Swami Shraddhananda of the Arya Samaj,Rajaji met Periyar,Sree Narayana Guru and Gandhi.

Success of Vaikom Satyagraha:

  • The satyagraha ended in partial victory in November 1925: three out of four streets were thrown open.
  • Final victory came 11 years later with the Travancore Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.
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