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.