Sanghadeepam - 7 (Part 3)

Sanghadeepam-7

Renaissance- Kerala' unparalleled journey towards modernity

Part 3

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Post independence, the march towards a modern world has been in motion with the same vigour as the pre-independnce days and it still continues.  The first agitation, after the declaration of independence took place at Chendamangalam, Ernakulam in the name Paliyam Sathyagraham. It was with the demand to get right to walk on the roads surrounding the residence of Paliayath Achans, the traditional Prime Ministers of  the King of Kochi. The sathyagraham ended successfully with the opening up of the roads and subsequently, all temples in Kochi kingdom to all Hindus  irrespective of caste. 

First ever democratically elected government took over in 1957. Congress that has been enjoying supremacy so far lost it suddenly. Its main constituency, the upper caste Hindus and Christians started feeling the heat due to various actions taken by the EMS government. The culmination of this discontent triggered Vimochana Samaram- The Liberation Agitation in 1959 that brought down the communist government. A caste and religious combination worked with a party that fought for independence resorted to such lowly means to achieve a temporary goal. Ironically, the same communists who were on the receiving end, down the line, used the same caste and religious forces to gain power several times and it still continues. The hard earned modern outlook and prosperity slowly but steadily went into the grips of religious and caste satraps over a period of time, post independence 

Land reforms act in 1969 did help a big part of the society. This has effectively ended landlordism and tenancy. This has furthered Kerala’s journey towards equality and social security. Still a section of society that did not wield political clout was made to suffer due to this reform on which there is scope for a separate debate

20 years into the 21st Century, Kerala is placed number one in many of the social and economic indices. Brick by brick, a modern Kerala has been built, comparable to any progressive western country  

1972 saw the launching of Tantra Vidya Peetham with a view to facilitate opportunities to Hindus irrespective of their caste lineages to learn  Tantric  procedures and pooja rituals. This was a big leap towards caste equality. Major role in this revolutionary act was played by the RSS pracharak P Madhavan, fondly known as Madhavji. Of late, Kerala temples started appointing non Brahmin priests also. This has finally brought down the caste barrier in the temple affairs. Still, the  entry of devotees from other religions remains unaddressed. The case of the legendary singer Yesudas still remains like an ache in our hearts. One day must come when all devotees, irrespective of their original religion are allowed to enter temples, purely out of their devotion towards the deity. 

Though there is a glorious history to sing about Kerala renaissance, the current state of affairs gives little hope for the future. We saw young people leaving the state for world's dangerous places to fight for their religion. Extremist elements are  gradually spreading their tentacles and secular governments of the day just refuse to act against such tendencies fearing loss of favour with religions.  

Amidst all such wrong signals emanating from certain pockets, we heard the calls for a second Navothanam in the recent past- ostensibly, a politically driven move by certain vested interest groups with malicious intentions. 

Instead of volunteers, Police were in the forefront to usher in the modern Navothanam. Fortunately, under its own weight of contradictions and uncharacteristic enthusiasm, the ill conceived namesake met its natural death.

The foundation  laid by the selfless reformers in the past is so strong that Kerala will remain number one for years to come, no matter who sits in the ruler’s chair. That is the strength of values imbibed by the Hindu reformers all through centuries. Any misadventures directed against what had been achieved by them are fraught with dangers of destruction of social equality and harmony. It is our duty to identify and isolate the forces at work in building walls of distrust to divide society for their selfish goals. Roots of Sanadhana Dharmam shall be strengthened further to help it bear rich fruits of  Navothanam  for the years to come

(Concluded)