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Social ReformNational and Dravidian movements

Vaikom Satyagraha

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Vaikom Satyagraha
Georgekutty at Malayalam Wikipedia, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

A satyagraha in Travancore demanded that people of oppressed castes be allowed to use the roads around the Vaikom temple; E. V. Ramasamy took part.

The Vaikom Satyagraha began in March 1924 in the princely state of Travancore against the ban on lower-caste people using the public roads around the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. E. V. Ramasamy (Periyar) travelled from Tamil Nadu to lead the agitation after local leaders were arrested and was himself imprisoned. Mahatma Gandhi also visited and negotiated with the authorities. The agitation ended in 1925 with three of the four roads opened to all, and Periyar's role earned him the title Vaikom Veerar.

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