Q28
Indian National MovementSocio-Religious & Educational Reform
The Vaikkom Satyagraha was launched in 1924 for
- a.opening the temples to the low castes Hindus
- b.fighting against the exploitation by the landlords
- c.removal of Press restrictions
- d.democratization of the administration of Travancore state
Answer: (A) opening the temples to the low castes Hindus
The Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25) in the princely state of Travancore demanded that "lower-caste" Hindus (Ezhavas, Pulayas and others) be allowed to use the roads around the Vaikom Mahadeva temple; it was the first organised temple-entry type movement in Kerala. Its leaders included T. K. Madhavan, K. Kelappan and K. P. Kesava Menon; E. V. Ramasamy "Periyar" took part and earned the title "Vaikom Veerar", and Gandhi visited in 1925. It paved the way for the Guruvayur Satyagraha (1931–32) and the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936. Tenant struggles against landlords and the demand for responsible government in Travancore (State Congress, 1938) were separate movements.