Vaikom Periyar memorial: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated Thanthai Periyar Memorial and Granthasala in Vaikom on the 100th year anniversary of the Vaikom Satyagraha on Thursday, December 12. The event was presided over by CM Vijayan and Tamil Nadu Ministers including S Duraimurugan and MP Saminathan took part in the function.
The event holds historical relevance due to the centenary of the Vaikom Satyagraha, a movement to enforce social justice and caste equality. On Wednesday, Stalin flew down to Kochi and travelled to Kumarakom Lake Resort by road. He reached Kumarakom at 12:50 PM and was welcome by Tamil Nadu and Kerala officials.
Vaikom Satyagraha
EV Ramasamy Periyar was instrumental in leading the Vaikom Satyagraha and was soon hailed as the "Hero of Vaikom". During the protest, he was sent to prison twice. The movement was also led by leaders TK Madhavan and K Kelappan. The satyagraha was a fight for Dalits to access roads around temple. The Satyagraha received attention at the national level and earned the support of Father of nation Mahatama Gandhi.
As part of the satyagraha, the people undertook nonviolent demonstrations. As a result of the satyagraha, in 1925, the roads around the Vaikom Temple were opened to people of all castes, marking a significant step toward eradicating untouchability in Kerala.