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02/04/23 16:52 PM IST

Vaikom Satyagraha

In News
  • The Tamil Nadu government is planning to hold year-long events to commemorate the Vaikom Satyagraha.
Vaikom Satyagraha
  • Vaikom Satyagraha was a historic non-violent movement against untouchability and caste discrimination in the country.
  • The Satyagraha took place between March 30, 1924 and November 23, 1925 and also marked the start of temple entry movements across India.
  • The movement was spearheaded by Congress leader T.K. Madhavan, as an opposition against social injustice.
  • Apart from Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon (then secretary of Kerala Congress) and Congress leader and educationist K. Kelappan are considered the pioneers of the Vaikom Satyagraha movement.
Significance
  • It was a significant day in connection with Vaikom, a serene town in Kottayam, Kerala.
  • The date marks the commencement of the centenary year of the Vaikom temple street entry movement that was launched in 1924, and a milestone in temple entry movements in India.
  • The non-violent movement was to end the prohibition imposed on backward communities in using the roads around the Vaikom Mahadeva temple.
  • It was the prelude to the temple entry proclamation of Kerala in 1936.
  • Launched by leaders in Kerala such as K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon and George Joseph
  • On the advice of Mahatma Gandhi, the movement was sustained and successfully conducted by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy(president of the Tamil Nadu Congress, and others between 1924 and 1925).
Success of the movement
  • On November 23, 1925, three roads, excluding Eastern entrance road to the Vaikom temple, were thrown open to all castes.
  • The Vaikom Satyagraha was officially withdrawn on November 30, 1925 after consultations between Gandhi and the then police commissioner of Travancore.
  • In 1928, oppressed castes were given the right to move on public roads in the vicinity of all temples in Travancore.
  • Vaikom Satyagraha has been documented in history as one of the most non-violent struggles against caste oppression and discrimination.
Source- Indian Express

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