
KOTTAYAM: The outcome of the Vaikom Satyagraha, one of India’s earliest and most successful non-violent movements against untouchability, might have been different had a man from Tamil Nadu not stepped in to lead it during a critical period.
It is fitting that the centenary celebrations of the Vaikom Satyagraha conclude by remembering E.V. Ramasamy, fondly called Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, who revitalised the protest during a time of crisis. Known as ‘Vaikom Veeran,’ Periyar’s dedication and leadership played a crucial role in the movement's success, cementing his legacy as a key figure in Kerala’s renaissance.
As the father of the Dravidian Movement in Tamil Nadu, Periyar stepped in to lead the satyagraha when it was on the verge of collapse following the arrest of almost all its leaders.
Launched on 30th March 1924, the satyagraha began to lose momentum within two weeks due to the arrest of key leaders. George Joseph, a leader in the movement, wrote to Periyar from jail seeking his support. At the time, Periyar was serving as the president of the Tamil Pradesh Congress Committee. Despite his commitments, he handed over his responsibilities to C. Rajagopalachari and arrived in Vaikom on 13th April 1924 to support the protest.
Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, the then king of Travancore, offered to host a grand reception for Periyar upon his arrival. However, Periyar declined the offer and immediately joined the satyagraha. He focused on spreading awareness and encouraging more people to participate, delivering powerful speeches that inspired many to join the cause.
Fearing growing support for the satyagraha under Periyar’s leadership, authorities banned him from entering Kottayam. Periyar defied the ban, leading to his arrest by the Travancore police on 21st May 1924. After a month of simple imprisonment, he returned to Vaikom and resumed mobilising people. He was arrested again and sentenced to four months of rigorous imprisonment, sparking widespread protests across South India.
While Periyar was in jail, his wife, Nagamma, and sister, Kannammal, reached Vaikom to continue participating in the protest. Following a change in Travancore’s leadership, Periyar was released. However, he was later arrested in Erode on charges of sedition, preventing him from rejoining the satyagraha.
In 1985, Tamil Nadu’s then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran decided to honour Periyar’s contributions by erecting a statue on 84 cents of land provided by the Kerala government at Vaikom. The foundation stone was laid by his cabinet colleague, V.R. Nedumchezhiyan, and the memorial was opened to the public in 1994.
During his visit to Vaikom last year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced plans to renovate the memorial to commemorate the satyagraha’s centenary. The Tamil Nadu government has renovated the site at a cost of ₹8.14 crore.
Speaking to reporters in Vaikom, Kerala Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister A.V. Velu confirmed that preparations for the inauguration are complete. Stalin will inaugurate the renovated memorial on Thursday, in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.