In Kerala, the valedictory of the Centenary celebrations of Vaikom Satyagraha, was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin at Vaikom in Kottayam district this morning. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the renovated Thanthai Periyar Memorial on the occasion. The event was attended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Several leaders from both the states, including Dravida Kazhagam leader D K Veeramani, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan, were among those present on the occasion.

The Vaikom Satyagraha was a milestone in the country’s struggle for equality and social justice, an event which challenged the deeply entrenched caste system in the erstwhile state of Travancore. Periyar E V Ramasamy Naicker played a significant role in the movement, that fought for the rights of the lower caste people, who were denied access to use the public roads near Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. The Vaikom Satyagraha eventually paved way for other social reform movements and the historic Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.