Vaikom satyagraha which lasted for 604 days (20 months) from March 30, 1924 to November 23, 1925, marked the dawn of temple entry movements across India. Read here to learn more about the movement.
Vaikom Satyagraha was a significant socio-political movement in Kerala, India, during the early 1920s, aimed at securing the rights for lower caste Hindus to use roads surrounding the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.
Traditionally, these roads were prohibited to the so-called ‘untouchables’ or lower caste individuals.
The movement is a landmark event in the history of the Indian struggle against caste discrimination and is considered one of the earliest organized movements advocating for civil rights in India, highlighting the intersection of caste and colonialism.
The year 2024 marks the centenary of the landmark movement.
Travancore in early 20th century
The early 20th century was a period of significant transformation for Travancore, a princely state in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent.
- This era was marked by socio-political changes, economic development, and efforts towards modernization under the rule of its monarchs.
- Travancore, known for its relative prosperity and progressive governance compared to many other regions of India during the British Raj, witnessed several reforms that had long-lasting impacts on its social fabric and administrative systems.
Governance and Administration
- Travancore was ruled by the Maharajas from the Travancore Royal Family.
- During the early 20th century, the most notable rulers were Maharaja Moolam Thirunal (1885-1924) and subsequently, Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma (1924-1949), who was the last ruling Maharaja of Travancore before India’s independence.
- These rulers were known for their progressive policies and efforts to modernize the state.
Socio-Political Reforms
- Temple Entry Proclamation: One of the most significant reforms in Travancore’s history was the Temple Entry Proclamation issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal in 1936. This proclamation allowed members of lower caste communities to enter Hindu temples, a revolutionary step towards social reform and equality in a society deeply stratified by caste.
- Educational Reforms: The state invested in education, establishing schools and colleges and making education accessible to a broader segment of the population, including girls and members of lower castes. The focus on education aimed to eradicate illiteracy and promote social upliftment.
- Healthcare Initiatives: Efforts were also made to improve public health services. Hospitals and dispensaries were established, and measures were taken to combat and control diseases such as smallpox.
- Infrastructure Development: Travancore saw significant infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, bridges, and irrigation projects, which facilitated better connectivity and agricultural productivity.
Travancore maintained a subsidiary alliance with the British Raj but enjoyed a considerable degree of autonomy compared to other princely states.
The rulers of Travancore navigated their diplomatic relations with the British skillfully, ensuring the state’s interests were protected while adapting to the changing political landscape of India.
Vaikom satyagraha
The movement began in 1924 in Vaikom, a small town in the state of Kerala.
- The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was surrounded by roads that were not accessible to lower-caste Hindus, which was a clear manifestation of the prevailing caste-based discrimination.
- Back then, the people of the oppressed classes especially the Ezhavas, were prohibited from walking on the four roads surrounding the Vaikom Mahadeva temple.
- Spearheaded by Congress leader T.K. Madhavan, who himself was an Ezhava, an agitation was launched against this social injustice.
- The denial of access to roads around temples and other public facilities to certain sections of society was a widespread practice in Kerala and other parts of India.
Initiation:
- The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, inspired by the principles of non-violent civil disobedience advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, initiated the satyagraha.
- The movement was led by prominent leaders like K. Kelappan, T.K. Madhavan, and K.P. Kesava Menon, among others.
- The protesters employed non-violent methods, such as picketing the roads leading to the temple and organizing peaceful marches and gatherings, demanding the right for all Hindus, regardless of caste, to use the roads around the temple.
- Sree Narayana Guru also extended his support and cooperation to the Vaikom Satyagraha. Guru was against the caste system and orthodox discrimination prevalent in Hindu society. He had given Vellore Mutt near Vaikom to set up the head office for the Satyagrahis.
The movement gained national attention, and Mahatma Gandhi himself visited Vaikom in 1925 to support the cause.
- His involvement brought significant publicity and support to the movement from across India.
- After intense negotiations and under pressure from the national movement and public opinion, the Travancore government finally agreed to open the roads around the temple to lower-caste Hindus in 1925.
- However, the temple itself remained inaccessible to them until the Temple Entry Proclamation was issued by the Maharaja of Travancore in 1936.
Impact and Legacy
- Against Caste Discrimination: The Vaikom Satyagraha is heralded as a crucial battle against caste discrimination in India. It set a precedent for future movements and was a stepping stone toward the Temple Entry Movement, which culminated in the Temple Entry Proclamation, allowing lower caste individuals to enter Hindu temples.
- Inspiration for Future Movements: The success of the Vaikom Satyagraha inspired several other similar movements across Kerala and other parts of India, contributing significantly to the social reform and anti-caste movements.
- Integration into the Freedom Movement: The movement also demonstrated the potential of integrating social reform with the broader Indian independence movement, showing how the struggle against colonial rule could also encompass a fight against social injustices.
Conclusion
Vaikom Satyagraha remains a pivotal moment in the history of social reform in India, symbolizing the power of non-violent resistance against deeply entrenched social inequalities and inspiring future generations to continue the fight for equality and justice.
Previous year question
Q. Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Mains 2020)
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-Article by Swathi Satish
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