Today marks the 100th year of the historic Viakom Satyagraha that marks a milestone in the fight against untouchability in Kerala’s history. It not only challenged caste oppression but also the social norms. Vaikom Satyagraha, the non-violent agitation that lasted for 603 days was held for the right of backward communities to travel through the public road near the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple at Kottayam district in Kerala.
The satyagraha started on the 30th of March 1924 and ended on the 23rd of November 1925. The agitation was supported by prominent leaders like Sree Narayana Guru, Mannathu Padmanabhan, E. V. Ramasamy Naicker, T. K. Madhavan, K. Kelappan K. P. Kesava Menon, etc. After the intervention of Mahatma Gandhi, a compromise was reached with Regent Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of the princely State of Travancore who released all those arrested during the agitation and opened the north, south and west public roads leading to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple to all castes. But the Regent refused to open the eastern road. In 1936, after the Temple Entry Proclamation, access to the eastern road and entry into the temple was allowed to the backward castes.
