God’s own country – now Kerala is called by this pet name world-wide. But this was not the case a century back or before 1930’s. When Swamy Vivekananda came to Kerala years back, seeing the caste system prevailed in Kerala, with a pain heart he called Kerala ‘Bhraanthalayam’. Why did he name this beautiful state ‘an asylum’?

Kerala was ruled by untouchability, superstitious customs, strange beliefs and classification of people into different classes based on castes. Social life and condition of Kerala were so pathetic that he called it ‘an Asylum’.

Savarnar and Avarnar – Upper and lower classes

People were grouped into two categories - Savarnar and Avarnar. High class people of Brahmins, ruling people and Nairs belong to Savarnar group while low caste and poor people were placed under Avarnar. Rules were different for different caste groups and lower caste people can’t touch or come in front of high caste people. It was considered ‘asudhi’ by upper caste people and they often bath or do some rituals to get out of ‘asudhi’.

Rights were denied to low caste people to enter main roads, public places and Hindu temples. Also, some strange customs existed during that period. Let me give one example. Kids of land lords and kings did employ a child of low caste and this boy used to assist the rich boy at schools. If teacher punishes the rich boy for some mistake, all those punishments were received by that poor boy. So, seeing such strange customs, if Swamy Vivekananda has compared Kerala to an asylum, it’s not at all surprising.

In 1936 November 12, when Temple Entry Proclamation was made by the then ruler of Travancore, Sri Chithira Thirunal Maharaja, it was a milestone in the achievement of equalization of all classes in the state and many struggles done to attain the rights of low caste people.

First struggle for equality

C.Raman Thampi, the judge of Travancore was the first person who put forward the suggestion to allow low caste people to temples. He submitted his appeal in prajasabha in the year 1917. Seeing this, Divan Bahadur Krishnan Nair collected signatures of high class Hindus and submitted as memorial. It was to prove that high class Hindus didn’t have such objections. Same demand was put forward during the reign of Divan Bahadur Raghavayya. But giving excuses one after the other, top officials denied it.

Through Gandhiji’s intervention

When Gandhiji came to Kerala for Vaikkom Sathyagraha, he appealed to Travancore people to fight for justice. He gave them good support as well. First barrier was to open main roads and public places leading to temples. When this permission was granted, Vaikkom Satyagraha came to an end. But it began a new movement to open all temples to Avarna Hindus.

Temple Entry Committee

Temple Entry Committee was formed in the year 1933, November 25. It was represented by 9 members with V.S.Subramanya Iyyer as president. In 1934, April 21st committee report was published. The study report gave importance to the entry of all Hindus including low caste people to temples. Though it couldn’t reach the goal to open temples for ‘avarnar’, it was successful in opening all public roads, schools, ponds and wells which were constructed and maintained by public fund. The law was passed in the year 1936 May.

Influencing factors which paved way to Proclamation

Gandhiji’s Satyagraha of 1932, K.Kelappan’s Guruvayur Satyagraha, death of the leader T.K.Madhavan, the influence of Narayana Guru and Chattambi Swamikal in the society and Savarna jaatha lead by K.Kelappan were the main factors that resulted in Temple Entry Proclamation. When Savarna jaatha was held under the leadership of K.Kelappan, high class Hindus from different parts of the state participated in this procession to prove that high class people have no objection with entry of low caste people in temples. This procession proved to be the milestone in the greatest reformation of Kerala cultural society.

Akhila Kerala Khetrapraveshana Sammelanam - for justice and equality

In 1936, May 9 and 10, a meeting was held at Thiruvanathapuram under the leadership of Rameswari Nehru. She was a social reformer, who married Brij Lal Nehru, nephew of Motilal Nehru. It brought all Kerala under one umbrella and was known as ‘Akhila Kerala Khetrapraveshana Sammelanam’. It was not only for Travancore, but for allowing low caste people all over Kerala to enter temples, including Kochi and Malabar. This meeting asked government to give justice to all people and this revolt was enough to create waves all over India, which was still under the grasp of cruel caste systems and strange customs. A meeting was held at Nasik by Dr.B.R.Amdedkar and he asked low caste people (Harijans) to give up their belief in Hinduism. 

Through success paths

In 1936, November 3rd, a memorandum was submitted before the king after accumulating signatures of 50 lakh high caste people from all over Kerala. In 1936, November 12, with the co-operation of Maharani Sethu Parvathy Bhai and Divan Sir.C.P, the then Maharaja of Travancore Sri Chithira Thirunal Maharaja did the temple Entry Proclamation allowing all low caste people to enter temples all over Kerala. When such a proclamation was made, it was a freedom of low class people from the grasp of upper society and strange customs and this day became a historic moment in the history of Kerala. It was done on the 25th Aatta thirunal (birthday) of Chithira Thirunal. This year, on November 12, we are celebrating its 76th anniversary.

To show this honour, very soon his bronze model was placed in East Street Maidan opposite Krishna Vilasam Palace of East fort, Thiruvananthapuram. Still this historic monument stays there, making people remember the old bad ages that existed in Kerala, a Platinum Jubilee year back. Also, even after the king lost his power, people didn’t forget their beloved king and showed respect till he died in 1991. He was the last king who ruled Travancore, dedicating his whole kingdom to Padmanabha.

Kerala we see now

Now things have changed a lot. Now Kerala is known for its cultural heritage and hospitality and it’s unbelievable for many people that such strange customs of untouchability and discrimination based on caste and money did existed in this small state 75 years back. It’s now remembered for its communal harmony and unity that lies between people of different castes and religions. Temple Entry Proclamation done by Chithira Thirunal was just a beginning to this great cultural reformation and through this article, I have taken you people to a strange Kerala that existed decades back, just to make you people aware that, such a Kerala also existed before!