Bhimrao Ambedkar founded the Temple Entry Movement as a nationwide strategy to combat caste injustice. It was started with the intention of opening all Hindu temples while waging a large propaganda effort to promote social advancement and the untouchability of members of lower castes.
Temple entry movements in Pre-independent India
● Dr. B.R. Ambedkar oversaw the start of the Kalaram Temple Entry Satyagraha. Surrounding 15,000 Dalit supporters of Ambedkar started a picket line around the shrine starting on March 3rd, 1930.
● Vaikom Satyagraha was an effort in Travancore (modern-day Kerala) to allow the underprivileged to enter temples. It happened between 1924 and 1925 close to the Shiva Temple in Vaikom, Kerala's Kottayam district. Vaikom was then a part of the Travancore princely empire.
● Temple Entry Movement Satyagraha in Guruvayur in 1930s
Socio-Economic impacts
● Social Equality: The main objective of the movement was to secure the right of Dalits, who were considered “untouchables” and considered impure by the caste system, to enter and worship in Hindu temples. This was seen as an important step to end discrimination against Dalits and promote social equality in India.
● Economic Empowerment: The temple entry movement also aimed to improve the financial status of the Dalit community. Through the temple entry movement, Ambedkar wanted to give them access to
resources and opportunities previously unavailable to them due to their social status.
● Political Empowerment: The Temple Entry movement also aimed to increase political awareness and participation in the Dalit community. By organizing protests and satyagrahas, Ambedkar and his followers sought to assert their civil rights and demand equal treatment under the law.
● Psychological empowerment: Ambedkar also believed that the temple entry movement would help change the negative self-image of Dalits and give them a sense of dignity and self-respect.
● Religious Empowerment: Ambedkar’s temple entry movement also aimed to give Dalits the right to practice their religion freely and without discrimination.
● Temple Entry Proclamation Act of 1939 was passed in Travancore, which abolished caste-based restrictions on temple entry and granted Dalits and other marginalized groups the right to enter temples and participate in temple rituals. This was an important milestone in the fight against caste-based discrimination and a significant step towards the upliftment of the oppressed castes in India.
Temple Entry movement led by Ambedkar was not just about gaining access to temples, but a wider struggle for Dalit rights and dignity, as well as social and political equality in India.
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