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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Tamil Nadu counterpart M K Stalin Saturday inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Vaikom Satyagraha, affirming that the two states would stand together for progressive causes, just as their people had done during the anti-caste movement. They were speaking at a gathering in Vaikom town of Kerala’s Kottayam district.
The non-violent struggle began on March 30, 1924 in the temple town of Vaikom in the princely state of Travancore, marking the beginning of “temple entry movements” across the country.
Stalin said the Vaikom Satyagraha was a pioneering struggle that inspired several movements against untouchability in many parts of the country. Secular and democratic forces have to work together so that the social justice-led ideology of reformist leader Periyar Ramasamy prevails over the right wing, he said.
Vijayan said both Kerala and Tamil Nadu are being governed by movements that have been instrumental in carrying forward the legacy of the renaissance movement.
“This unity between the two states in preserving the language and culture will grow into a struggle for protecting the common interest of the country in future. We had taken together the movements of social reformation and nationalist struggle. Political parties can emulate this approach,’’ he said.
Stalin said: “All have to work together at a time casteist and communal forces are trying to assert themselves. The Vaikom struggle is a beacon and, similar to the unity seen a century ago, all should work together.”
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