The
year 1090 of Malayalam Era (1914) was a very important period in the
history of Kerala. It was a history of battles written in blood. In
every place the untouchables' society threw up energetic leaders. Their
stormy freedom fights affected spread to all parts of the state. Attacks
and counter attacks became order of the day. The people who lived in
conditions more abominable than animals stood up and opposed the
atrocities committed. When the attacks by the landlords became intense,
the untouchables returned them in kind. To end brutal physical
punishments, get reasonable wages and for permanence of jobs, they
resorted to all tricks of the trade, including strikes, in 1907.
They turned their ire against the courts when denial of justice became unbearable. Normally the upper caste accused influenced the court in his favour. Untouchability was carried to the courts too. So, the hearings, or whatever was there to it, was done under a jack fruit tree outside the court in Neyyattinkara. 'Plaamootu Kacheri' (court under a Jack fruit tree) was the popular name for the kind of court untouchables had to face. The onlookers gave the appellation of 'Pulaya Riot' to these struggles for justice and human rights.
Thatta-theruvu(theruvu=steet) Riot of Venganoor, Nedumangadu Riot, Chettippilla-theruvu Riot in Pallichal Village, Ammankovil Riot in Balaramapuram, 21st Company Riot of Neyyattinkara, manakkattu Riot, and Kazhakkoottam Riot are some of the important struggles that turned into riots.
These freedom struggles that culminated in riots at the end of 1914 reached its zenith with Perinadu Riot in Kollam followed by Police intervention has been already told. Leaders' exhortion to the untouchables for giving up old customs, faith and dress code created consternation among the savarna. It is interesting to note that even as late as 1979 the crude stone and glass jewellery were worn in North Malabar by untouchables.
They turned their ire against the courts when denial of justice became unbearable. Normally the upper caste accused influenced the court in his favour. Untouchability was carried to the courts too. So, the hearings, or whatever was there to it, was done under a jack fruit tree outside the court in Neyyattinkara. 'Plaamootu Kacheri' (court under a Jack fruit tree) was the popular name for the kind of court untouchables had to face. The onlookers gave the appellation of 'Pulaya Riot' to these struggles for justice and human rights.
Thatta-theruvu(theruvu=steet) Riot of Venganoor, Nedumangadu Riot, Chettippilla-theruvu Riot in Pallichal Village, Ammankovil Riot in Balaramapuram, 21st Company Riot of Neyyattinkara, manakkattu Riot, and Kazhakkoottam Riot are some of the important struggles that turned into riots.
These freedom struggles that culminated in riots at the end of 1914 reached its zenith with Perinadu Riot in Kollam followed by Police intervention has been already told. Leaders' exhortion to the untouchables for giving up old customs, faith and dress code created consternation among the savarna. It is interesting to note that even as late as 1979 the crude stone and glass jewellery were worn in North Malabar by untouchables.
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