| Syllabus: GS-I, Subject: History-Modern, Topic: Gandhian Phase, Issue: Temple Entry movement |
Context: 100 years of Vaikom Satyagraha.
Vaikom Satyagraha:
- Began on March 30, 1924, marking the start of temple entry movements in India.
- Led by T K Madhavan, Kelappan, K. P. Kesava Menon
- Aimed to open temples and public roads to lower castes, challenging upper-caste hegemony.
- Gained momentum after Madhavan secured Gandhi’s support in 1921.
Legacy of Vaikom Satyagraha
- The Satyagraha lasted over 600 days, showcasing unity across caste lines and sustained mobilization.
- Despite a compromise allowing only access to three roads, the movement was seen as a success, leading to the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936.
- It highlighted untouchability as a pressing political issue in India.
