The Tamil Nadu government would organise year-long (2023-24) events to commemorate the Vaikom struggle and disseminate the legendary movement’s history, objective and victory, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Thursday, 30 March, in the state Assembly.
Efforts would be made to set up a new memorial for Periyar EV Ramasamy at Aruvikutti village in Kerala where the reformist leader was first imprisoned for leading the Vaikom movement, he said, adding that steps would be taken to release a special commemorative postage stamp.
The historic Vaikom struggle (1924-25) was against untouchability and it demanded that the ban be lifted on the oppressed people to walk on roads in and around the Mahadeva Temple at Vaikom town in Kottayam district of Kerala.
Related: All about Vaikom Satyagraha that fine-tuned non-violence movement
To take part in centenary function
Making a statement in the House, the chief minister said he would take part in the Kerala government’s Vaikom struggle centenary on 1 April. Noted scholar Pazha Adiyaman’s Tamil work Vaikom Porattam would be released in Malayalam.
Also, Telugu, Kannada and English versions would be soon released.
On 29 November, 2023 a grand event would be held by the Tamil Nadu government and he and his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan and several personalities would take part.
Stalin announced instituting the “Vaikom Award” to honour those who work outside of Tamil Nadu for the welfare of the oppressed people and bring a remarkable change. The award would be presented on 17 September, the social justice day, he said. Also, the Periyar memorial in Vaikom would be revamped and ₹8.14 crore would be set apart.
In universities and colleges seminars on the struggle shall be organised. Quiz, elocution and essay competitions would be held for school and college students.
#LIVE: வைக்கம் போராட்ட நூற்றாண்டு விழா தொடக்கம் பற்றி சட்டமன்றத்தில் அறிக்கை https://t.co/HCBEzwB4t7
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 30, 2023
Related: TR Krishnaswamy Iyer, the forgotten Vaikom Satyagraha hero
Book to be released
To create awareness among students on the Vaikom struggle, a 64-page book would be released by Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation and a centenary souvenir would be released by the government’s ‘Tamizharasu‘ magazine.
Stalin said the Vaikom struggle led by social reformer TK Madhavan began on 30 March, 1924 and ended on November 23, 1925, and an event to mark the victory of the satyagraha movement was chaired by Periyar on 29 November, 1925 at Vaikom.
Kerala Congress leaders were jailed for spearheading the movement and Periyar led the struggle and was twice imprisoned, he said.
Periyar’s first incarceration was at Aruvikutti for a month and the second time he was lodged in a Thiruvananthapuram prison and was sentenced to four months of rigorous imprisonment, the chief minister said.
Even after his release from prison, Periyar stayed at Vaikom for 67 days and mobilised people and led the struggle.
Periyar was treated like ordinary prisoners and he was handcuffed and had shackles around his legs and neck. Dr BR Ambedkar, when he waged a struggle (Mahar movement), had referred to the Vaikom struggle as an inspiration for him.
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