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{{Short description|Indian social movement}}
{{expert-subject|India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
'''Vaikom Satyagraha''' (1924 - 25) was a [[satyagraha]] (movement) in [[Travancore]] now part of [[Kerala]] against [[untouchability]] in [[Hindu]] society. The movement was centered at the [[Shiva]] temple at [[Vaikom]], near [[Kottayam]].The Satyagraha aimed at securing freedom of movement for all sections of society through the public roads leading to the Sri Mahadevar Temple at Vaikom.Lower caste Hindus were not allowed.
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
The leaders of the Vaikom [[Satyagraha]] were T. K. Madhavan - an [[Ezhava]] leader, and [[Mannathu Padmanabhan]] - a leader of the [[Nair]] Service Society.On [[March 30]], [[1924]], K. P. Kesava Menon and T. K. Madhavan was a close aide of Sri [[Narayana Guru]] , accompanied by Nair, Pulaya and Ezhava volunteers, attempted to walk on the road near the temple and they were arrested.Later Kellapan a congress leader from Malabar was also arrested.The movement continued for a few more days until all Nair leaders were arrested. Later Mahatma Gandhi, on an invitation from [[Rajaji]], went to Vaikom and began talks with the Queen of Travancore where it was agreed that the police pickets would be removed and that the State police would do nothing to prevent the lower castes using the roads. <ref>
{{Infobox event
http://www.media-watch.org/articles/0499/65.html </ref> The right to enter temples was granted to [[untouchable]] [[Hindus]] only in [[1936]] by the Maharajah of [[Travancore]] by the [[Temple Entry Proclamation]] <ref>
|image=Leaders of Vaikom Satyagraha.jpg|caption=Leaders of Vaikom Satyagraha including [[T. K. Madhavan]] (sitting: middle row, last as one views the photograph) [[K. Kumar]] (standing last in the row behind TK Madhavan: (bearded) [[K. P. Kesava Menon]] (sitting, third) and [[Amachadi Thevan]].| duration = March 1924 to November 1925
| outcome = North, South and West public roads to [[Vaikom Mahadeva Temple]] opened. Protestors released.
}}
'''Vaikom Satyagraha''', from 30 March 1924 to 23 November 1925, was a [[Nonviolence|nonviolent]] agitation for access to the prohibited public environs of the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Temple]] in the [[Travancore|Kingdom of Travancore]]. [[Kingdom of Travancore]] was known for its rigid and oppressive caste system.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/kerala-secularism-hindus-christians-5506515/ | title=God's own challenge | publisher=The Indian Express | date=24 December 2018 | accessdate=27 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="VanamamalaiVān̲amāmalai1981">{{cite book|author1=N. Vanamamalai|author2=Nā Vān̲amāmalai|title=Interpretation of Tamil Folk Creations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sDnaAAAAMAAJ|year=1981|publisher=Dravidian Linguistics Association}}</ref><ref name="Radhakrishnan2002">{{cite book|author=P. Radhakrishnan|title=India, the Perfidies of Power: A Social Critique|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RQpuAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=27 July 2021|year=2002|publisher=Vedam ebooks|isbn=978-81-7936-003-3|page=245}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Sumit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kOawCwAAQBAJ |title=Modern India: 1885–1947 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1989 |isbn= 9781349197125|pages=229 and 244 |language=}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ENC-DAAAQBAJ |title=Politics, Women and Well-Being: How Kerala became 'a Model' |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1992 |isbn=978-1-349-12252-3 |pages=108 and 118–19 |language=}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |date=1976 |title=Temple-Entry Movement in Travancore, 1860-1940 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3516377 |journal=Social Scientist |volume=4 |issue=8 |pages=13–16 |doi= 10.2307/3516377|jstor=3516377 |issn=}}</ref> The campaign was conduct and led by [[Indian National Congress|Congress]], leaders[[T. K. Madhavan]], [[K. Kelappan]], [[K. P. Kesava Menon]]. Other notable leaders who participated in the campaign include [[George Joseph (activist)|George Joseph]],<ref name="George 2014 pp. 569–574">{{cite journal | last=George | first=Alphons | title=The Role of George Joseph in the Vaikom Satyagraha | journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | publisher=Indian History Congress | volume=75 | year=2014 | issn=2249-1937 | jstor=44158431 | pages=569–574 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44158431 | access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="B.A 2023">{{cite web | last=B.A | first=Pon Vasanth | title=The contribution of an unsung leader, George Joseph, to the Vaikom Satyagraha | website=The Hindu | date=30 Mar 2023 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-contribution-of-an-unsung-leader-to-the-vaikom-satyagraha/article66681161.ece | access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref> [[Periyar|E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar"]]<ref name="Chandran 2023">{{cite web | last=Chandran | first=Abhilash | title=Periyar, the unsung hero who breathed life back into Vaikom Satyagraha | website=The New Indian Express | date=14 Mar 2023 | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/mar/14/periyar-the-unsung-hero-who-breathed-life-back-into-vaikom-satyagraha-2555787.html | access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="Athiyaman 2019">{{cite web | last=Athiyaman | first=Pazha. | title=Periyar, the hero of Vaikom | website=The Hindu | date=23 Dec 2019 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/periyar-the-hero-of-vaikom/article62108753.ece | access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref> and it was noted for the active support and participation offered by different communities and a variety of activists.<ref name=":1" />
Most of the great temples in the princely state of [[Kingdom of Travancore|Travancore]] had for years forbidden lower castes (untouchables) not just from entering, but also from walking on the surrounding roads.<ref name=":26">{{Cite journal |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |date=1976 |title=Temple-Entry Movement in Travancore, 1860-1940 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3516377 |journal=Social Scientist |volume=4 |issue=8 |pages=14|doi= 10.2307/3516377|jstor=3516377 |issn=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mathew |first=George |date=2018 |title=God's Own Challenge |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/kerala-secularism-hindus-christians-5506515/}}</ref> The agitation was conceived by the [[Ezhava]] Congress leader and a follower of [[Narayana Guru|Sri Narayana Guru]], [[T. K. Madhavan]]. It demanded the right of the [[Ezhava]]s and 'untouchables' to use roads around the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Temple]].<ref name=":02"/>
[[Mohandas Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi]] himself visited Vaikom in March 1925.<ref name=":1" /> [[Travancore]] government eventually constructed new roads near the temple for the use of lower castes. The roads, however, kept the lower castes adequately away from the near environs of the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Temple]] and the temple remained closed to the lower castes.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":02"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Menon |first=Dilip M. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/in/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/comparative-politics/caste-nationalism-and-communism-south-india-malabar-19001948?format=PB&isbn=9780521051958 |title=Caste, Nationalism and Communism in South India: Malabar, 1900 - 1948 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1994 |pages=81–82}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Sumit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kOawCwAAQBAJ |title=Modern India: 1885–1947 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1989 |isbn= 9781349197125|pages=229 and 244 |language=}}</ref>
After the intervention of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], a compromise was reached with Regent [[Sethu Lakshmi Bayi]] who released all those arrested and opened the north, south and west public roads leading to [[Vaikom Mahadeva Temple]] to all castes. Bayi refused to open the eastern road. The compromise was criticized by [[Periyar|E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar"]] and some others. Only in 1936, after the [[Temple Entry Proclamation]], was access to the eastern road and entry into the temple allowed to the lower castes.<ref name="Diehl1977">{{cite book|author=Anita Diehl|title=E. V. Ramaswami Naicker-Periyar: A Study of the Influence of a Personality in Contemporary South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1CduAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=27 July 2021|year=1977|publisher=Esselte studium|isbn=978-91-24-27645-4|page=24}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":02"/> Vaikom Satyagraha markedly brought the method of [[Nonviolence|nonviolent]] public protest to Kerala.<ref name=":02"/>
== Background ==
[[File:EVR Statue, Vaikom.JPG|thumb|right|Ramasamy statue at [[Vaikom]] town in Kottayam, [[Kerala]]]]
* [[T. K. Madhavan]], an [[Ezhava]] leader, first advanced the question of temple entry of lower castes in an editorial in Deshabhimani newspaper in December 1917.<ref name=":4" /> Temple entry of lower castes was discussed and resolutions were introduced at meetings of [[Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP)|S N D P Yogam]] and the [[Travancore|Travancore Assembly]] between 1917 and 1920.<ref name=":4" /> In 1919, an assembly of nearly 5,000 [[Ezhava]]s demanded the right to entry into all Hindu temples managed by the Government of [[Travancore]].<ref name=":2" />
* In November 1920, [[T. K. Madhavan]], walked beyond the regulatory notice boards on a road near the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Temple]]. He later publicly announced his defiance to the district magistrate.<ref name=":4" /> Madhavan's later temple-entry meetings in Travancore instigated counter-agitations from caste Hindus.<ref name=":2" />
* [[T. K. Madhavan]] met with [[Mohandas Gandhi|"Mahatma" Gandhi]] at [[Tirunelveli]] in September 1921 to inform him of the predicament of Ezhavas in Kerala.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |title=The Decline of Nayar Dominance: Society and Politics in Travancore, 1847 - 1908 |publisher=Holmes & Meier Publishers |year=1976 |pages=328, 258–59}}</ref> Gandhi, though initially oblivious to the position of the community in state, offered his support for the movement ("you must enter temples and court imprisonment if law interferes").<ref name=":4" />
* At the 1923 [[Indian National Congress]] session at [[Kakinada]], a resolution was passed which committed the party to work for 'the eradication of untouchability'.<ref name=":3" /> This resolution was introduced by T. K. Madhavan.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> The resolution also stated that 'temple entry was the birthright of all Hindus'.<ref name=":2" />
* In January 1924, Congress leader [[K. Kelappan]] convened an 'Anti-untouchability Committee' within the [[Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee|K P C C]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> Kelappan later toured southern Kerala with a contingent of Congress leaders from [[Malabar District]].<ref name=":2" /> Madhavan also succeeded in getting the finances, the Congress support and pan-India attention for the satyagraha.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |date=1976 |title=Temple-Entry Movement in Travancore, 1860-1940 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3516377 |journal=Social Scientist |volume=4 |issue=8 |pages=17 |doi= 10.2307/3516377|jstor=3516377 |issn=}}</ref> The [[Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam|S N D P Yogam]] also conveyed its approval of the agitation.<ref name=":5" />
== The agitation ==
[[File:A_protest_march_during_Vaikom_Satyagraha.jpg|thumb|324x324px|A protest march during Vaikom Satyagraha]]
[[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Siva Temple]], like most other great temples of Kerala, had for years forbidden lower castes and the 'untouchables' not just from entering, but also from walking on the surrounding roads.<ref name=":4" />
* On 30 March 1924, a Menon, a [[Pulayar|Pulaya]] and an Ezhava activist, followed by thousands of others, most of whom in khadar, attempted to walk on the Vaikom temple roads. The three were arrested by the Travancore police.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> More Congress activists, repeating the same act, were arrested by the police till the 10th April.<ref name=":2" /> Among the arrested where [[K. P. Kesava Menon]], [[T. K. Madhavan]], and [[K. Kelappan]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":02"/><ref name=":4" /> The other leaders who were arrested and convicted included TR Krishna Swami Iyer,<ref>T. R. Krishnaswamy Iyer, http://www.keralaculture.org/historic-heritage-gallery/tr-krishnaswamy-iyer/1085 , Department of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala retrieved on 02 February 2023</ref> [[K. Kumar]],<ref>Vaikom Sathyagraha Rekhakal: Adv. P. Harikumar -Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-Operative Society Ltd: 2019 : pages 160, 217, 298, 299, 353</ref><ref>Who is Who of Freedom Fighters in Kerala, Regional Records Committee 1975, Government of Kerala : Page/ Entry No 272</ref><ref name="indianlabourarchives.org">The History of Trade Union Movement in Kerala : K. Ramachandran Nair : Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment - 2006: (also available is the e-book version at : https://indianlabourarchives.org retrieved on 30 Jan 2023: page no: 436)</ref> AK Pillai,<ref>https://ml.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%8E.%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%86._%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B3%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B3 , Malayalam : Retrieved 2 February 2023</ref> Chittezhathu Sanku Pillai, Barrister [[George Joseph (activist)|George Joseph]], EV Ramaswami Naikker also known as [[Periyar]], Aiyyamuthu Gaudar and K Velayudha Menon.<ref name="indianlabourarchives.org"/>
Demonstrators marched each day to the Travancore police barricades (erected to "prevent clashes between communities"). They blocked the road, sat before the police lines on temple's four entrances and sang patriotic songs. Later in the campaign, activists undertook public fasts.<ref name=":02"/><ref name=":4" /> During this period, some caste Hindus spurred attacks by ruffians on the protesters.<ref name=":4" />
* The events at Vaikom attracted pan-India attention. Congress leader [[C. Rajagopalachari]] and [[Periyar|E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar"]], then associated with the Congress, arrived at Vaikom and offered advice to the activists.<ref name=":4" /> Most of the prominent Nair Congress leaders were subsequently arrested and [[Christianity in Kerala|Christian]] (Congress leader) George Joseph assumed the charge of the agitation.<ref name=":2" />
* [[File:Vaikom satyagraha-akali7.jpg|thumb|Photograph of [[Sikhs|Sikh]] ''[[Nihang|Akalis]]'' at the Vaikom Satyagraha, ca.1924. Reprinted in Mathrubhumi Daily.]] The local [[Christianity in Kerala|Christian]] leadership was alienated by a statement by [[Mohandas Gandhi|Gandhi]] asking them to keep clear from 'a Hindu affair' (April 1924).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> [[Sikhism|Sikh]] Akali activisits from [[Amritsar]] had also arrived at Vaikom to establish free food kitches to the satyagrahis (April 1924).<ref name=":2" /> Gandhi called for the closure of the Sikh kitchens.<ref name=":2" /> [[Periyar|E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar"]], then with the Congress, also participated in the satyagraha and was imprisoned twice.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kent |first=David |title=Periyar |url=http://atheist-community.org/library/articles/read.php?id=710 |url-status= |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100615212743/http://atheist-community.org/library/articles/read.php?id=710|archive-date= 15 June 2010|access-date= |website=Atheist Community of Austin |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Deihl |first=Anita |title=E.V. Ramasamy Naicker-Periyar: A Study of the Influence of a Personality in Contemporary South India |publisher=Esselte Studium |year=1977 |pages=22–24}}</ref> The participation earned Periyar the title "the Hero of Vaikom".<ref>Eugene F. Irschick, ''Politics and Social Conflict in South India: The Non-Brahmin Movement and Tamil Separatism,'' 1916–1929 (Berkeley:University of California Press, 1969), pp. 268–69.</ref> Some radical participants such as K. Aiyappan associated themselves with forms of [[Communism]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |date=1976 |title=Temple-Entry Movement in Travancore, 1860-1940 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3516377 |journal=Social Scientist |volume=4 |issue=8 |pages=17–18 |doi= 10.2307/3516377|jstor=3516377 |issn=}}</ref>
* [[Moolam Thirunal|Mulam Thirunal]], the king of Travancore, died in August 1924.<ref name=":3" /> At the advice of [[Mohandas Gandhi|Gandhi]], caste Hindus marched from Vaikom to Trivandrum to present a memorial to the ruler of Travancore (stating that caste Hindus did not object to lower castes using the roads) (starting from November 1924).<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":02"/> [[Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai|Mannath Padmanabha Pillai]], leader of the [[Nair]] community, led the second march to Trivandrum in 1925.<ref name=":99">{{Cite book |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ENC-DAAAQBAJ |title=Politics, Women and Well-Being: How Kerala became 'a Model' |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1992 |isbn=978-1-349-12252-3 |pages=104 and 108 |language=}}</ref> A resolution to allow Ezhavas to use roads near the temple was defeated by one vote in the Travancore Legislative Council (opposed by all official members, introduced in October 1924, voted in February 1925).<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />
=== Settlement ===
[[File:Gandhi_in_Cochin_(during_Vaikom_Satyagraha).jpg|thumb|330x330px|[[Gandhi]] in Cochin (during Vaikom Satyagraha)]]
[[Mohandas Gandhi|Mahatma Gandhi]], who had sent goodwill telegrams to the organizers, himself visited Vaikom in March 1925.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Gandhi held discussions with all parties (the protesters, the Namboodiri Brahmins, [[Sri Narayana Guru]], and the queen of Travancore).<ref name=":4" /><ref>Mahadev Desai, ''The Epic of Travancore'' (Ahmedabad: Navajivan Karyalaya, 1937), pp. 17–21.</ref> The police subsequently was withdrawn on the understanding that the activists would not enter the banned roads.<ref name=":4" />
* The Vaikom Satyagraha settled with a compromise which allowed the entry of lower caste Hindus to (the newly constructed) roads on three sides of the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Temple]]. The other side and the temple remained closed to the lower castes (November 1925).<ref name=":3" /><ref>M.S.A. Rao, Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India (first published in 1979: reprint New Delhi: Manohar, 1987), p. 66.</ref> The new roads also kept the lower castes adequately away from the near environs of the [[Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple|Vaikom Temple]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":02"/>
* The Vaikom Satyagraha had failed to convince the Ezhava leader [[Narayana Guru|Sri Narayana Guru]].<ref name=":98" /><ref name=":2" /> The Guru wanted activists to 'not only walk along the prohibited roads but enter the temple'.<ref name=":98">{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Sumit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kOawCwAAQBAJ |title=Modern India: 1885–1947 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1989 |isbn= 9781349197125|pages=244 |language=}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The word on the street hinted that the [[Narayana Guru]] had distanced himself from 'the activities of the [[Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP)|S N D P]]'.<ref name=":2" /> He said to an Ezhava journalist,<ref name=":6" />
{{Cquote|The volunteers standing outside the barriers in heavy rains will serve no useful purpose...They should scale over the barricades and not only walk along the prohibited roads but enter all temples... It should be made practically impossible for anyone to observe untouchability.
| author = Sri Narayana Guru (June 1924)
| width = 50%
}}
== Legacy ==
* Vaikom Satyagraha introduced (sustained) [[Nonviolence|nonviolent]] public protest in Kerala.<ref name=":02"/>
* The agitation revitalized the morale of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] in Kerala.<ref name=":2" />
* [[T. K. Madhavan]] became of the General Secretary of the [[SNDP Yogam|Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam]] in 1927.<ref name=":99" />
* [[Temple Entry Proclamation]] in Travancore (1936).<ref name=":abc">{{Cite book |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ENC-DAAAQBAJ |title=Politics, Women and Well-Being: How Kerala became 'a Model' |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1992 |isbn=978-1-349-12252-3 |pages=xv-xvii |language=}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Kandoth assault]]
*[[Channar revolt]]
*[[Punnapra-Vayalar uprising]]
*[[Temple Entry Proclamation]]
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Jeffrey |first=Robin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ENC-DAAAQBAJ |title=Politics, Women and Well-Being: How Kerala became 'a Model' |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1992 |isbn=978-1-349-12252-3 |pages=|language=}}
* T. K. Ravindran, ''Eight Furlongs of Freedom'' (New Delhi: Light and Life Publishers, 1980)
* George G. Joseph, ''George Joseph: The Life and Times of a Kerala Christian Nationalist'' (Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 2003)
* Robin Jeffrey, 'The Social Origins of a Caste Association, 1875–1905: The Founding of the S. N. D. P. Yogam', ''South Asia,'' Volume 14, Number 1, 1975.
* {{Cite book |last=Menon |first=Dilip M. |title=Caste, Nationalism and Communism in South India: Malabar, 1900 - 1948 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1994 |pages=}}
* {{cite book |author=King |author-link=Mary King (political scientist) |date=2015 |title=Gandhian Nonviolent Struggle and Untouchability in South India: The 1924-25 Vykom Satyagraha and Mechanisms of Change |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=|first=Mary E.}}
== External links ==
== External links ==
* http://www.kerala.cc/keralahistory/index25.htm
* [http://www.narayanaguru.org/Main.asp?xx=Biographies.html Sri Narayana Guru]
Leaders of Vaikom Satyagraha including T. K. Madhavan (sitting: middle row, last as one views the photograph) K. Kumar (standing last in the row behind TK Madhavan: (bearded) K. P. Kesava Menon (sitting, third) and Amachadi Thevan.
Most of the great temples in the princely state of Travancore had for years forbidden lower castes (untouchables) not just from entering, but also from walking on the surrounding roads.[11][12] The agitation was conceived by the Ezhava Congress leader and a follower of Sri Narayana Guru, T. K. Madhavan. It demanded the right of the Ezhavas and 'untouchables' to use roads around the Vaikom Temple.[5]
Mahatma Gandhi himself visited Vaikom in March 1925.[4]Travancore government eventually constructed new roads near the temple for the use of lower castes. The roads, however, kept the lower castes adequately away from the near environs of the Vaikom Temple and the temple remained closed to the lower castes.[4][5][13][14]
After the intervention of Mahatma Gandhi, a compromise was reached with Regent Sethu Lakshmi Bayi who released all those arrested and opened the north, south and west public roads leading to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple to all castes. Bayi refused to open the eastern road. The compromise was criticized by E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar" and some others. Only in 1936, after the Temple Entry Proclamation, was access to the eastern road and entry into the temple allowed to the lower castes.[15][4][5] Vaikom Satyagraha markedly brought the method of nonviolent public protest to Kerala.[5]
Ramasamy statue at Vaikom town in Kottayam, Kerala
T. K. Madhavan, an Ezhava leader, first advanced the question of temple entry of lower castes in an editorial in Deshabhimani newspaper in December 1917.[6] Temple entry of lower castes was discussed and resolutions were introduced at meetings of S N D P Yogam and the Travancore Assembly between 1917 and 1920.[6] In 1919, an assembly of nearly 5,000 Ezhavas demanded the right to entry into all Hindu temples managed by the Government of Travancore.[13]
In November 1920, T. K. Madhavan, walked beyond the regulatory notice boards on a road near the Vaikom Temple. He later publicly announced his defiance to the district magistrate.[6] Madhavan's later temple-entry meetings in Travancore instigated counter-agitations from caste Hindus.[13]
T. K. Madhavan met with "Mahatma" Gandhi at Tirunelveli in September 1921 to inform him of the predicament of Ezhavas in Kerala.[16] Gandhi, though initially oblivious to the position of the community in state, offered his support for the movement ("you must enter temples and court imprisonment if law interferes").[6]
At the 1923 Indian National Congress session at Kakinada, a resolution was passed which committed the party to work for 'the eradication of untouchability'.[16] This resolution was introduced by T. K. Madhavan.[16][13] The resolution also stated that 'temple entry was the birthright of all Hindus'.[13]
In January 1924, Congress leader K. Kelappan convened an 'Anti-untouchability Committee' within the K P C C.[13][6] Kelappan later toured southern Kerala with a contingent of Congress leaders from Malabar District.[13] Madhavan also succeeded in getting the finances, the Congress support and pan-India attention for the satyagraha.[16][17] The S N D P Yogam also conveyed its approval of the agitation.[17]
Vaikom Siva Temple, like most other great temples of Kerala, had for years forbidden lower castes and the 'untouchables' not just from entering, but also from walking on the surrounding roads.[6]
On 30 March 1924, a Menon, a Pulaya and an Ezhava activist, followed by thousands of others, most of whom in khadar, attempted to walk on the Vaikom temple roads. The three were arrested by the Travancore police.[13][6] More Congress activists, repeating the same act, were arrested by the police till the 10th April.[13] Among the arrested where K. P. Kesava Menon, T. K. Madhavan, and K. Kelappan.[13][5][6] The other leaders who were arrested and convicted included TR Krishna Swami Iyer,[18]K. Kumar,[19][20][21] AK Pillai,[22] Chittezhathu Sanku Pillai, Barrister George Joseph, EV Ramaswami Naikker also known as Periyar, Aiyyamuthu Gaudar and K Velayudha Menon.[21]
Demonstrators marched each day to the Travancore police barricades (erected to "prevent clashes between communities"). They blocked the road, sat before the police lines on temple's four entrances and sang patriotic songs. Later in the campaign, activists undertook public fasts.[5][6] During this period, some caste Hindus spurred attacks by ruffians on the protesters.[6]
The events at Vaikom attracted pan-India attention. Congress leader C. Rajagopalachari and E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar", then associated with the Congress, arrived at Vaikom and offered advice to the activists.[6] Most of the prominent Nair Congress leaders were subsequently arrested and Christian (Congress leader) George Joseph assumed the charge of the agitation.[13]
Photograph of SikhAkalis at the Vaikom Satyagraha, ca.1924. Reprinted in Mathrubhumi Daily. The local Christian leadership was alienated by a statement by Gandhi asking them to keep clear from 'a Hindu affair' (April 1924).[4][13]Sikh Akali activisits from Amritsar had also arrived at Vaikom to establish free food kitches to the satyagrahis (April 1924).[13] Gandhi called for the closure of the Sikh kitchens.[13]E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar", then with the Congress, also participated in the satyagraha and was imprisoned twice.[23][24] The participation earned Periyar the title "the Hero of Vaikom".[25] Some radical participants such as K. Aiyappan associated themselves with forms of Communism.[26]
Mulam Thirunal, the king of Travancore, died in August 1924.[16] At the advice of Gandhi, caste Hindus marched from Vaikom to Trivandrum to present a memorial to the ruler of Travancore (stating that caste Hindus did not object to lower castes using the roads) (starting from November 1924).[6][5]Mannath Padmanabha Pillai, leader of the Nair community, led the second march to Trivandrum in 1925.[27] A resolution to allow Ezhavas to use roads near the temple was defeated by one vote in the Travancore Legislative Council (opposed by all official members, introduced in October 1924, voted in February 1925).[13][6]
Mahatma Gandhi, who had sent goodwill telegrams to the organizers, himself visited Vaikom in March 1925.[4][13] Gandhi held discussions with all parties (the protesters, the Namboodiri Brahmins, Sri Narayana Guru, and the queen of Travancore).[6][28] The police subsequently was withdrawn on the understanding that the activists would not enter the banned roads.[6]
The Vaikom Satyagraha settled with a compromise which allowed the entry of lower caste Hindus to (the newly constructed) roads on three sides of the Vaikom Temple. The other side and the temple remained closed to the lower castes (November 1925).[16][29] The new roads also kept the lower castes adequately away from the near environs of the Vaikom Temple.[4][5]
The Vaikom Satyagraha had failed to convince the Ezhava leader Sri Narayana Guru.[30][13] The Guru wanted activists to 'not only walk along the prohibited roads but enter the temple'.[30][13] The word on the street hinted that the Narayana Guru had distanced himself from 'the activities of the S N D P'.[13] He said to an Ezhava journalist,[26]
The volunteers standing outside the barriers in heavy rains will serve no useful purpose...They should scale over the barricades and not only walk along the prohibited roads but enter all temples... It should be made practically impossible for anyone to observe untouchability.
^ abcdefJeffrey, Robin (1976). The Decline of Nayar Dominance: Society and Politics in Travancore, 1847 - 1908. Holmes & Meier Publishers. pp. 328, 258–59.
^Vaikom Sathyagraha Rekhakal: Adv. P. Harikumar -Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-Operative Society Ltd: 2019 : pages 160, 217, 298, 299, 353
^Who is Who of Freedom Fighters in Kerala, Regional Records Committee 1975, Government of Kerala : Page/ Entry No 272
^ abThe History of Trade Union Movement in Kerala : K. Ramachandran Nair : Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment - 2006: (also available is the e-book version at : https://indianlabourarchives.org retrieved on 30 Jan 2023: page no: 436)
^Kent, David. "Periyar". Atheist Community of Austin. Archived from the original on 15 June 2010.
^Deihl, Anita (1977). E.V. Ramasamy Naicker-Periyar: A Study of the Influence of a Personality in Contemporary South India. Esselte Studium. pp. 22–24.
^Eugene F. Irschick, Politics and Social Conflict in South India: The Non-Brahmin Movement and Tamil Separatism, 1916–1929 (Berkeley:University of California Press, 1969), pp. 268–69.
^Mahadev Desai, The Epic of Travancore (Ahmedabad: Navajivan Karyalaya, 1937), pp. 17–21.
^M.S.A. Rao, Social Movements and Social Transformation: A Study of Two Backward Classes Movements in India (first published in 1979: reprint New Delhi: Manohar, 1987), p. 66.
T. K. Ravindran, Eight Furlongs of Freedom (New Delhi: Light and Life Publishers, 1980)
George G. Joseph, George Joseph: The Life and Times of a Kerala Christian Nationalist (Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 2003)
Robin Jeffrey, 'The Social Origins of a Caste Association, 1875–1905: The Founding of the S. N. D. P. Yogam', South Asia, Volume 14, Number 1, 1975.
Menon, Dilip M. (1994). Caste, Nationalism and Communism in South India: Malabar, 1900 - 1948. Cambridge University Press.
King, Mary E. (2015). Gandhian Nonviolent Struggle and Untouchability in South India: The 1924-25 Vykom Satyagraha and Mechanisms of Change. Oxford University Press.
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