Let us observe November 12 as the National Temple Entry Day!

By Shyam Prasad , Akhil Bharatiya Samyojak, Samajika Samarasta

In the pursuit of social equality…
Many movements took place demanding temple entry for everyone, especially for the Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Due to some of these movements, the desired goal was achieved in many places ; in a few places, it was not.

In Kerala:

The Vaikom Satyagraha took place during 1924–25 and lasted 604 days.
The Guruvayur Satyagraha took place in 1931–32.
Prominent participants from all communities in these movements included T. Madhavan, K. P. Kesava Menon, K. Kelappan, and E. V. Ramaswami Naicker.
On November 12, 1936, the Maharaja of Travancore, Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, issued a proclamation granting temple entry to all people.

In Jammu & Kashmir :

Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir, who participated in the Second Round Table Conference was inspired by a speech from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and issued a proclamation in 1932 allowing entry to everyone into the Raghunath Temple in Jammu.

In Andhra Pradesh:

On November 2, 1933, in Ghantasala village, Krishna district, signatures were collected from nearly 85% of the households, and with the cooperation of the villagers, Gottipati Brahmayya and Vemula Kurmayya enabled temple entry for Scheduled Castes into the Subrahmanya Swamy Temple.

Kalaram Temple Satyagraha (Maharashtra):

On March 2, 1930, under the leadership of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, a Satyagraha was conducted at the Kalaram Temple in Nashik demanding entry.
The movement continued for a year, but no positive result was achieved.

Gandhiji’s Nationwide Campaign:

On November 17, 1933, Mahatma Gandhi began a nationwide Harijan Yatra from Wardha, lasting nine months, during which temple entry was permitted in many places.

In Tamil Nadu:

In the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, a notice board stated that
“At the request of Mahatma Gandhi, the king has granted entry to everyone into 96 temples in the surrounding areas,” through a 1933 proclamation.

Other Movements:

1939 – Madurai Temple Entry Satyagraha
1939 – Ambadevi (Amravati) Satyagraha
1946 – In Nellore, Sri Potti Sriramulu observed a fast demanding temple entry into Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, after which the temple trustees agreed.
1947 – In the Madras Legislative Assembly, the Madras Removal of Civil Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 1947 was passed, ensuring access to all public places for everyone.

Thus, there were many movements and many sweet and bitter experiences.
The proclamation issued by the Maharaja of Travancore on November 12, 1936, was historic. Therefore, let us observe November 12 as Temple Entry Day!

Why should we conduct this program?

Dr. Ambedkar fought for temple entry through Satyagraha.
Since there was no positive response from Hindu society, he embraced Buddhism — this is true.
However, in many other instances, there was positive response from sections of Hindu society even in those times!

So, criticizing the Hindu community as unchangeable or assuming that reform is impossible within it, is not correct.
With time, Hindu society has shown the flexibility to accept changes — it is a flexible and evolving society.

Arise Bharat