The People’s Sanctum

The 100-Year Struggle to Democratize Temples in India

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The erstwhile presidency of Madras saw early reverberations of social and political currents that were beginning to reshape ideas of equality and secularism in India. Among the most significant of these was the Vaikom Satyagraha, a landmark agitation against caste discrimination in the princely state of Travancore. The protest mobilised thousands to challenge the ban that prevented the people of oppressed castes from using the roads around Vaikom Mahadeva temple. Spearheaded by reformer T K Madhavan Nair, it very soon drew attention from leaders such as EV Ramasamy Periyar and Mahatma Gandhi who played a significant role in sustaining the protest and interventions and dialogues with Travancore. In the events that led to the resolution, several roads were opened to all castes, marking an important step towards subsequent reforms including the Tempel Entry Proclamation of 1936.
As the movement marks a hundred years, Manuraj revisits the unsung contribution of the tenacious Self-Respect Movement in forging a more equal society. Through the lens of temple entry and reforms, The People’s Sanctum views the most impactful changes to the socio-religious fabric of the country over the last century.