Ambedkar leading the Kalaram Temple Movement; Source: Public Domain

small_kalaram-temple-ambedkar.jpg

thumbnail_kalaram-temple-ambedkar.jpg

kalaram-temple-ambedkar.jpg

For a very long time, the social groups regarded as ‘untouchables’ were not allowed entry into temples, in the various societies present in the history of India. This was just one discrimination among a vast array of other social exclusions. The bitterness created by this exclusion created many movements throughout the history of this discrimination. However, modern political movements in the context of caste in India owe a serious credit to the writings of ‘Babasaheb’ BR Ambedkar, himself a Mahar, one of the ‘untouchable’ communities in India, and the head of the Constitutional Assembly’s Drafting Committee.

Apart from being a jurist, his enduring legacy is of the championing of the Dalit movement for social reform, demanding equal rights for these communities.

The movement had many branches, and in the 1930s, temple entry became the focal point of demanding the right to equal access to public places in India. Dalits were usually not allowed to enter temples, and this was to be the start of the pitched battle for their rights. The Kala Ram temple in Nashik, built in 1788, was chosen to be the spot. On March 2, 1930, thousands (around 15 thousand) Dalits gathered and sat in front of the temple, demanding entry into it as equals. The movement’s immediate aim of entering the temple was also backed up by a larger aim of ensuring caste laws reform.

The protest was a Satyagraha, a non-violent protest, despite the Police often meting out beatings on the protestors, and acts of caste hatred led to the expulsion of Dalit kids from nearby schools, disallowed them from going to shops to buy goods, and many thoroughfairs were closed to them. However, the movement continued peacefully, without trouble, for about 5 years, when the temple gates were finally opened to them. The participation of other leaders and the ‘untouchable’ people of Nashik was key in ensuring the success of the Satyagraha, which remained non-violent in the face of provocation

With the opening of the Kala Ram temple, it lined up a series of other temple opening agitations across India, many of them successful.

A Dalit Satyagraha, led by Babasaheb Ambedkar, to allow their entry at the Kalaram Temple in Nashik. It continues a string of successful Dalit mass agitations to allow temple entry in Maharashtra, today in 1930

For a Darshan denied

Modern

Event

large_Darshan Denied-01.jpg

medium_Darshan Denied-01.jpg

small_Darshan Denied-01.jpg

thumbnail_Darshan Denied-01.jpg

Darshan Denied-01.jpg

large_Darshan Denied-02.jpg

medium_Darshan Denied-02.jpg

small_Darshan Denied-02.jpg

thumbnail_Darshan Denied-02.jpg

Darshan Denied-02.jpg

large_Darshan Denied-03.jpg

medium_Darshan Denied-03.jpg

small_Darshan Denied-03.jpg

thumbnail_Darshan Denied-03.jpg

Darshan Denied-03.jpg

large_Darshan Denied-04.jpg

medium_Darshan Denied-04.jpg

small_Darshan Denied-04.jpg

thumbnail_Darshan Denied-04.jpg

Darshan Denied-04.jpg

large_Darshan Denied-05.jpg

medium_Darshan Denied-05.jpg

small_Darshan Denied-05.jpg

thumbnail_Darshan Denied-05.jpg

Darshan Denied-05.jpg

large_Darshan Denied-06.jpg

medium_Darshan Denied-06.jpg

small_Darshan Denied-06.jpg

thumbnail_Darshan Denied-06.jpg

Darshan Denied-06.jpg