Topic: Dalit Movements (దళిత ఉద్యమాలు) - Continued

 

Topic: Dalit Movements (దళిత ఉద్యమాలు) - Continued

Context & Scope:

• This is the last class on Dalit movements within the SRRM series.

• Focuses on movements beyond Phule, Ambedkar, and Gandhi, covering various regions.

• Exam Relevance: SI/PC level requires knowing basic facts (movement name, leader, place). Group 1/2/UPSC level requires more depth, especially for Vaikom Satyagraha and Narayana Guru.

• Reference Books Mentioned: Spectrum, Ambedkar Pragati Series.

Key Issues Addressed in Dalit Movements (Overall):

1. Temple Entry (ఆలయ ప్రవేశం): Access to temples for worship.

2. Right to Cover Upper Body (రొమ్ము కప్పుకునే హక్కు): Primarily for Dalit women in certain regions (Kerala).

3. Specific Rights: Wearing nose rings (Mukku Poka - ముక్కు పోగు), access to public spaces (tanks, roads).

4. Labour Rights: Strikes for agricultural labourers.

5. Separate Identity: Movements asserting distinct cultural/religious identity separate from mainstream Hinduism.

I. Kerala Dalit Movements

1. Velayudham Panicker (వేలాయుధం ఫనిక్కర్):

   • Context: Featured in the recent Malayalam film "19th Century".

   • Contributions:

     • Led the first strike for agricultural labourers in India.

     • Fought for the right of Dalit women to cover their upper body.

     • Fought for the right to wear nose rings (Mukku Poka).

   • Significance: Considered the first martyr (అమరుడు) in Indian social reform movements while fighting for these causes.

2. Nangeli (నంగేలి):

   • Context: Protest against the Breast Tax (Rommu Pannu - రొమ్ము పన్ను) levied by the Travancore king on Dalit women who covered their upper body.

   • Action: When tax collectors came, she cut off her breasts with a sickle (Kodavali - కొడవలి) and presented them as tax, dying in protest.

   • Significance: Symbol of resistance against oppressive social customs and taxes targeting Dalit women's dignity.

3. Ezhava Movement / Aravippuram Movement (ఇజావా ఉద్యమము / అరవిపుర):

   • Leader: Narayana Guru (నారాయణ గురు).

   • Community: Ezhava (ఇజావా) - Dalit community in Kerala.

   • Key Event (1888): Narayana Guru installed a Shiva Lingam (శివలింగం) at Aravippuram on the banks of the Neyyar River (నెయ్యర్ నది) on Shivaratri.

     • Significance: Challenged the Brahmin monopoly on idol installation (విగ్రహ ఆవిష్కరణ) and priesthood. Asserted the right of non-Brahmins to perform religious rituals.

   • Organization (1903): SNDP (Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam) (శ్రీ నారాయణ గురు ధర్మ పరిపాలన యోగం).

     • Established under the Companies Act, 1902 (implemented 1903).

     • Financial Support/Key Figure: Dr. Palpu (పల్పు) (UPSC question mentioned).

   • Famous Slogan: "One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind" (ఒకే కులము, ఒకే మతము, ఒకే దేవుడు).

   • Quote: Build schools, not temples (గుడుల కంటే బడులు కట్టు).

4. Ayyankali (అయ్యంకాళి):

   • Community: Pulaya (పులయ) - Dalit community in Kerala.

   • Actions: Led agricultural strikes, fought for upper body cloth rights for Pulaya women.

   • Titles:

     • "Pulaya Raja" (పులయరాజా) - Given by Mahatma Gandhi.

     • "Great Son of India" (భారతదేశం యొక్క రాకుమారుడు) - Given by Indira Gandhi.

5. Vaikom Satyagraha (వైకోం సత్యాగ్రహం) - 1924:

   • Place: Vaikom, Travancore Kingdom (Kerala).

   • Issue: Temple Entry Movement - Specifically, the right for Dalits (Ezhava, Pulaya) to use the roads surrounding the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.

   • Context: Triggered by resolutions passed at the 1923 INC Kakinada Session (President: Maulana Muhammad Ali) on anti-untouchability and temple entry (proposed by Madhavan).

   • Led by: INC initially, with support from Gandhi.

   • Key Leaders: Madhavan (మాధవన్), Kelappan (కేలప్పన్), Kesava Menon (కేశవ మీనన్), C.F. Andrews (సిఎఫ్ ఆండ్రూస్).

   • Outcome (1936): Finally successful when the Maharaja of Travancore, Balarama Varma, issued a proclamation allowing temple entry for all castes.

II. Tamil Nadu Dalit Movements

1. Iyothee Thass (అయోతి దాస్):

   • Significance: One of the earliest Dalit reformers in Tamil Nadu.

   • Newspaper: Oru Paisa Tamizhan (ఒరు పైసా తమిళన్ - One Paisa Tamilian).

2. Adi Dravida Movement (ఆది ద్రావిడ):

   • Leader: Srinivasan.

   • Newspaper: Paraya (పరయా).

III. North/East India Dalit Movements

1. Punjab:

   • Movement: Adi Dharmis.

   • Leader: Manguram.

   • Key Stance: Asserted that Adi Dharmis were the original inhabitants and distinct from Hindus. Supported Ambedkar's demand for separate electorates at the Second RTC (1931).

   • Book Mentioned: The Religious of Social Mission by Mark Mayor (focuses on Manguram).

   • Outcome: British government recognized Adi Dharmis as a separate religious group in the 1931 Census.

2. Chhattisgarh:

   • Movement: Satnami (సత్నామీ).

   • Leader: Ghasidas (ఘాసిదాస).

   • Connection: Guru Ghasidas National Park named after him.

3. West Bengal:

   • Movement: Namashudras (నామశూద్రలు).

     • Previously known as: Chandals (చండాలురు).

   • Founder: Harichand Thakur (హరిశ్చంద్ర ఠాగూర్).

   • Successor: Son Guruchand Thakur (గురుచంద్ర ఠాగూర్).

   • Organization: Matua Sangha (మతువ సంఘం).

   • Recent Relevance: Matua Sangha Dharma Mahamela inaugurated by PM Modi in March, marking Harichand Thakur's Jayanti. (Current Affairs).

IV. Karnataka Dalit Movements

• Organization: Bahishkrut Sangh (బహిష్కృత్ సంఘం). (Needs further detail/confirmation).

• Leader: Devaraya (దేవరాయ).