SNDP Movement:

• Background: Founded by Sree Narayana Guru Swamy, an Ezhava by birth, the SNDP movement addressed the social discrimination faced by the Ezhava community in Kerala.

• Aruvippuram Movement: In 1888, Narayana Guru consecrated a stone as a Sivalinga at Aruvippuram, asserting the right of all castes to perform religious practices. This act marked the beginning of a larger revolution.

• SNDP Yogam: Established in 1903, the SNDP Yogam, with Narayana Guru as its permanent chairman and Kumaran Asan as general secretary, tackled critical issues for the Ezhavas such as access to education, government services, public facilities, and political representation.

Vokkaliga Sangha:

• Background: In 1905, the Vokkaliga Sangha in Mysore initiated an anti-brahmin movement to challenge Brahmin dominance and advocate for the rights of the Vokkaliga community.

Justice Movement:

• Background: In the Madras Presidency, C.N. Mudaliar, T.M. Nair, and P. Tyagaraja launched the Justice Movement to secure greater representation and employment opportunities for non-Brahmins.

• Madras Presidency Association: Established in 1917, the association called for separate representation for lower castes in the legislature to ensure their interests were represented.

Self-Respect Movement:

• Background: E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar) started the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 to challenge and reject Brahminical dominance, which he believed perpetuated caste-based exploitation.

• Goals: The movement sought to formalize non-Brahmin-led ceremonies and promoted social and gender equality, striving to free oppressed groups from traditional practices.

Temple Entry Movement:

• Background: The Temple Entry Movement aimed to grant untouchables and lower castes access to Hindu temples. In 1924, K.P. Kesava led the Vaikom Satyagraha in Kerala as part of the movement.

• Civil Disobedience Movement: Again in 1931, when the Civil Disobedience Movement was suspended, the temple entry movement gained traction in Kerala.

• Progress: Mahatma Gandhi supported the movement during his tour of Kerala. Finally, on November 12, 1936, the Maharaja of Travancore issued a proclamation allowing all Hindus access to government-controlled temples. A similar step was taken by the C. Rajagopalachari administration in Madras in 1938.