Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore (modern-day Kerala) for temple entry of the depressed classes. It took place near the Shiva Temple at Vaikom, Kottayam district, Kerala during 1924-25. Vaikom was at that time a part of the princely state of Travancore.According to the prevalent caste system in Kerala and the rest of India, low-caste Hindus were not allowed to enter into the temples.The movement began on 30th March 1924.At the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple,there was a board which denied the entry of lower caste people( avarnas).The Satyagrahis made batches of three and entered the temple. They were resisted and arrested by the police.On 23rd November 1925, all the gates of the temple were opened to Hindus except the eastern gate .In 1928, backward castes got the right to walk on public roads leading to all temples in Travancore.This was the first time that an organised movement was being conducted on such a massive scale for the basic rights of the untouchables and other backward castes in Kerala.
