Vaikom Satyagraha: Five-day centenary celebrations of Sivagiri Mutt begin

Vaikom: Sivagiri Mutt's centenary celebrations of Vaikom Satyagraha started with a procession from the Mutt on Wednesday. It began after 30 saints and Guru Dharma Pracharana Sabha activists gathered in front of Sree Narayana Guru’s picture and offered floral tributes. 

The meeting was inaugurated by Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. He opined that Vaikom Satyagraha was the greatest revolution of enlightened Kerala. “Vaikom was an area where Guru's idea of universal brotherhood echoed out loud,” he added. 

Delivering the presidential address, Sivagiri Mutt president Swami Satchidananda said, “Even Sree Narayana Guru was banned on the grounds of caste. That’s what motivated TK Madhavan to proceed with the satyagraha.” 

Madhavan’s granddaughter Dr Vijaya Nair was honoured at the ceremony. Former minister Mullakkara Retnakaran delivered the keynote address. Several others including MLA CK Asha and municipality chairperson Radhika Shyam, also took part in the event. 

Meanwhile, the centenary celebrations led by the Congress will be held on Thursday. The event will be inaugurated by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at 3 pm. The rallies, organised in connection with the event, met at the conference venue on Wednesday.

The state-level celebrations of the Vaikom Satyagraha will be jointly inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, and his Tamil Nadu counterpart, MK Stalin on April 1 in Vaikom.