Students mark 90th anniversary of Temple Entry Proclamation

A copy of the Temple Entry Proclamation being distributed by students of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Karamana, and ward councillor Karamana Ajith to autorickshaw drivers

Students of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Karamana, marked the 90th anniversary of the historic Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 by distributing copies of the proclamation in houses and public spaces on Saturday. The Temple Entry Proclamation was issued by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, former king of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom, on November 12, 1936, in the wake of the social reformation under way then. It opened the doors of Hindu temples in the State to marginalised communities and drew the attention of the entire nation to Travancore.

A copy of the proclamation in possession of the Archives department was received by students and teachers of the school, and then distributed to houses, residents’ associations, shops and commercial establishments, and libraries for display. Through autorickshaw drivers, the proclamation reached passengers too.

The proclamation’s 90th anniversary also saw nonagenarians Gopalakrishnan, a retired income tax official, and his wife Sarojam, who live near the school, being felicitated with the proclamation and a ponnada by class V student Shikha and ward councillor Karama Ajith.

At a time when marginalisation was re-emerging, the proclamation taught lessons, head teacher Mini. Y said. Principal Bilu V.B. was present. As part of the year-long celebrations, a proclamation rally from East Fort to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, cultural meets with historians, trips to memorials for reformation leaders, quiz, and other events will be organised, PTA representatives said.