Temple Entry Proclamation

The Temple Entry Proclamation issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in 1936 abolished the ban on the so-called 'low-caste people' or avarnas from entering Hindu temples in the Princely State of Travancore (now part of Kerala, India).

The proclamation was a milestone in the history of Travancore and later in rest of Kerala as well. Today, the Temple Entry proclamation day is considered as social reformation day by the Government of Kerala.

In Travancore the movements for at least the reduction of the severities of caste, if not its total abolition, have been popular. The teachings of Sree Narayana Guru and other social reformers gave a momentum to the forces and the tolerant policy pursued by the state in recognising the legitimate claims of the backward communities. A deputation of six leaders appointed by the Harijan Sevak Sangh toured throughout Travancore to mobilise signatures of "Savrnars" (Caste Hindus) in support of Harijans and other Avarnars entering state-held temples. "The conversion of the Valiya Raja of Ennakkad" to temple-entry for 'Harijans' and "the propaganda that the Raja, K. Kumar and Pandavathu Sankara Pillai carried out produced excellent results". It is worth noting that the efforts of K. Kumar had already led to the throwing open of the Bhagavathy Temple at Elanthoor, for every community to worship. This was a transformation of attitude that the local people underwent much before the movements to establish temple-entry-rights began. The sincerity of the supporters of "temple-entry" touched the hearts of the aggrieved-masses. The decision of the 12 year old Maharaja of Travancore to be persuaded by Gandhi and the sentiments of the masses, became the most critical factor in the success of the movement. This decision of the young Raja was in spite of the stand taken by the Regent Maharani. The promulgation of the Temple Entry Proclamation was a reform of far-reaching importance, was a milestone in the history of Travancore and later in rest of Kerala as well.

One of the important movements that led to temple entry was the Vaikom Satyagraha. It was conducted in order to get the permission to use the roads near temples for the dalits as well. The right for ‘untouchables’ to enter the temple roads and use other spaces which were exclusively meant for the upper caste people were the initial demands of the agitators who later on raised the demand for temple entry. The movement was not confined to a single event. It went through a number of stages in the form of Vaikom Satyagraha which took place in Travancore in 1924, the Guruvayur Sathyagraha(in Malabar) of 1931, and the declarations in Kochi in 1947 gave the lower castes access to temples. The movement was not confined to any single section of the society even though it was for the cause of a particular section of it. The movement never turned violent and was marked by its peaceful nature. The teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, the efforts of Dr. Palpu, T. K. Madhavan, Mannathu Padmanabhan, K. Kumar,K. P. Kesava Menon, K. Kelappan, Ayyankali in the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly, poet Kumaran Aasan etc. gave a momentum to the movement.

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Wikipedia