Vaikom — two States, two leaders and a tale of reform

The centenary of the Vaikom Struggle, a landmark socio-political movement that sought the right of backward caste Hindus to walk on streets adjacent to the Vaikom Mahadeva temple, is being commemorated on December 12, 2024. This event marks a significant moment in South India's social reform trajectory, which saw leaders like Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and B.R. Ambedkar driving transformative changes. The struggle set the stage for future mass movements focused on religious reform and egalitarianism, facilitated in part by constitutional changes introduced by Ambedkar.

The Vaikom Struggle and the Rise of Social Justice Movements

• Initial Struggle: The Vaikom Struggle, initiated against the exclusion of backward caste Hindus from walking on public streets near the Vaikom temple, began as a protest led by Kerala State Congress and other social activists.
• Periyar’s Involvement: In 1924, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy joined the struggle, transforming it into a mass movement. This culminated in November 1925 with the lifting of restrictions, signaling a shift toward social justice activism across India.
• Nationwide Impact: The Vaikom Struggle inspired similar movements across India, such as Ambedkar’s protests for Dalit entry into temples like Ambadevi and Kalaram Mandir, setting a precedent for broader religious reforms.

The Role of Legislative and Constitutional Reforms

• Pre-Independence Reforms: South India saw progressive reforms, including the Travancore Temple Entry Proclamation (1936) and the Madras Temple Entry Authorization Act (1947), which allowed backward castes to enter temples, paving the way for broader temple access.
• Ambedkar’s Constitutional Clause: During the Constituent Assembly debates in 1948, Ambedkar inserted a crucial clause in the Constitution: ‘subject to public order, morality and health,’ enabling state intervention in religious matters when necessary.
• Legal Basis for Reform: This clause formed the legal foundation for future religious reforms, allowing constitutional courts to intervene in cases where fundamental rights, such as equality, clashed with religious practices.

State Regulation of Temples and Contemporary Reforms

• State Regulation of Religious Affairs: The state’s role in regulating temples has been upheld by several laws, including the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act (1927) and the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act (1959), ensuring secular management of temples in line with public order.
• Court’s Stance on Secular Management: The Shirur Mutt case (1954) affirmed the state’s right to regulate secular matters of temples, particularly when it concerns equality and public access, even allowing non-Brahmin priests to be appointed.
• Recent Challenges and Reforms: Modern reforms, such as the appointment of non-Brahmin archakas in temples, have faced resistance but reflect a stronger push for social reform, challenging orthodox beliefs and traditional caste-based practices.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the significance of the Vaikom Struggle in shaping the social and religious reforms in India. How did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions to the Constitution aid the advancement of these reforms, and what challenges persist in implementing state regulation of religious practices in contemporary India?