Vaikom Satyagraha was a famed movement for temple entry and abolition of untouchability. This nonviolent protest took place from 30 March 1924 to 23 November 1925 at Vaikom (a part of the then princely state of Travancore) in the Kottayam district of Kerala.
Led by Congress leaders T. K. Madhavan, K. Kelappan, and K. P. Kesava Menon, the protest earned active support and participation by different communities and activists.
The protest was against the rigid and oppressive caste system prevalent in the region, which forbade lower castes, or untouchables, from entering not just the Vaikom Temple but also from walking on the surrounding roads.
Vaikom Satyagraha and Mahatma Gandhi
TK Madhavan was arrested in 1924 for participating in the Vaikom Satyagraha. He sought the help of Mahatma Gandhi who arrived at Vaikom on March 7, 1925 and camped there with TK Madhavan, helping in the successful completion of Satyagraha.
TK Madhavan
TK Madhavan made his contribution in the field of journalism. From 1917 onwards he was the editor of the Malayalam daily Deshabhimani which he started to educate the people of their rights.
He had participated in the Indian National Congress session of Kanpur in 1925.
TK Madhavan died on April 27, 1930.
Key Takeaways
- Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore in Kerala against removal of deep-rooted malaise of untouchability in the society.
- Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement to allow temple entry for the avarnas or lower castes
- Vaikom Satyagraha lasted for 18 months during 1924–25,
- On April 1, 2023, the centenary celebrations of Vaikom Satyagraha will begin
- A social reformer and veteran trade union activist, Charles Andrews took active participation in the Vaikom Satyagraha.
