Ayyankali
strongly believed that salvation for the depressed was dependent on
education. But admission in schools was a rare occurance. He searched
for a way out of the impasse. Conversion was no permanent solution.
For sending children out of the state to study was not feasible financially.(A few studied surreptitiously with the padre or astrologer who was from the carpenter community (the carpenter made the birth chart with the help of his knowledge of circle, angles and ability to tell the exact time of birth by observing the celestial bodies.)
He remembered the editor of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai who was exiled by the govt and lived in Madras. In 1911 the venerable editor published the letter in Swadeshabhimani.
He went Dewan's office in his capacity as a member of the Praja Sabha. The sentries didnot let him in and called him 'names'. He went outside and sent a telegram to the Dewan. Within minutes, Dewan ordered that Ayyan Kali be brought before him.
When Ayyankali entered the office, the Dewan called for the sentries who had misbehaved with him.
"Mr. Ayyankali," the Dewan addressed him.
"What punishment do you suggest for these policemen who misbehaved with you?"
Ayyankali was stunned. He thought...'except getting punishment from the savarna I haven't punished them'.
"..may it please you to forgive these men who did what they did out
of sheer ignorance." Ayyankali prayed to the Dewan in all humility. On
hearing the answer, Dewan was pacified.
The Dewan was surprised at the perfect Malayalam that he spoke. Dewan was told that Ayyankali was an illiterate low caste. But Dewan found himself face to face with a mature, big hearted and capable man.
The Dewan said, "I accept Mr Ayyankali's opinion. But I am not going to let the guilty go scot free. Let the two sentries touch the feet of Ayyankali and ask for pardon.
"pardon us." the two policemen said.
"I had forgiven you then itself." Ayyankali said.
The Dewan read through the representation Ayyankali had brought.
"Mr Ayyankali! I am ready to do my best for your people." The Dewan said.
Happy at the statement of Dewan, Ayyankali took leave.
On an auspicious day in 1911, Tahesildar Padmanabha Pilla, a friend of Ayyankali, came in a bullock cart. Ayyankali wore a long black coat and set out to see the Dewan. The Dewan inspected the dress worn by his guest. He nodded his head in appreciation. Then he said in grave tones:
"Mr Ayyankali, you have been nominated as a member of Sreemoolam Praja Sabha. What are the immediate needs of your people?" the Dewan asked.
"Sir. we are 500,000 people. If it pleases you, let me request for one representative per 100,000 of Pulaya population". That was the first demand of the first Pulaya member of Maharaja's Praja Sabha.
"Your demand is just. But where are the capable people?
So one more representative is granted. When the Sabha meets next year, please find a suitable person."
A 1912 gazette notification said, 'Sadhu Jana Paripalana sangham
General Secretary Manya Rajya Rajasree Esquire Ayyankali has been
nominated as a Member of Travancode Sreemoolam Praja Sabha.'
(Travancode=Travancore)
Historian KP Padmanabha menon criticised the move in the following words. <Sreemoolam Representative Sabha having a Pulaya sit alongside a Namboodiri reveals the extent of changes that time is capable of bringing about.>
Ayyankali made his maiden speech in the Praja Sabha held in 1912 at VJT Hall...
"Let me express my thanks to the honourable members of the previous meeting of Praja Sabha and the government for accepting unanimously our request to appoint a Pulaya representative in the present session of the Sabha.
"To fulfil the promise made to us about granting patta of plots from public land, we had applied to Neyyattinkara, Vilavamkode, Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumangadu taluk authorities. But nothing happened. The people of these taluks obstructed the process with the active connivance of some lower level workers of the revenue department. And whatever land the Pulayas found out to be public land was allotted to wealthy upper caste families. Not only that, the Pulayas were chased out of their humble homes and ended up without even what they possessed earlier. Except for asking the father like figure of govt for sympathy, we have no other way. Therefore, I pray for allotment of public land, and, as a test case some of the fallow land lying useless for our convenience and welfare.
"Many of our families have been evicted by rich land owners from our homes set up with oral assurance on their land. The forest officials are forcing my people to vacate their homes in the forests in collusion with landlords of the area. At the same time these very officials are helping the landlords to occupy these lands. Such illegalities have been done mainly in Valiyakavu in Chengannoor, Alapramuri in Changanassery taluk and Perumbaathumuri in Thiruvalla taluk. I pray for amelioration of such problems."
Such an oration from an illiterate Pulaya leader impressed the Dewan.
The Dewan's reply was:
"The government is doing whatever is possible to help the Pulayas. Of
the 779 representation to allot public land identified, 769 are land
which cannot be allotted.
In Vilappil Paguthi 500 acres of fallow land available to those who like to go there.
On 12the March 1912 Ayyankali made a speech couched in a language of humility.
"As a representative of the Pulayas I convey to the govt our gratitude for the help regarding admission of our children in Venganur Elementary School. In Southern Travancode, only seven schools have allowed Pulaya children admission. I submit that all schools in the state admit our children."
"The Pulayas can get admission in all school where the Ezhava (BC) students are allowed," the Dewan clarified. "New students may be given fee concessions."
Ayyankali continued.
"Fee concessions given to Mohammedans, who are comparatively ahead of us, may be given also to Pulaya children."
Dewan: "Are not Pulaya children getting the Concessions available to Mohammedans? I think it can be done." This revealed the Dewan's ignorance about the depressed classes.
Ayyankali: "Pulayas could be appointed in Engineering, Health, Medical departments. There are capable people who could be employed in Education department too. Though the Royal Decree has been announced to public giving Pulayas the right to walk on streets and to use public courts, they are harassed and obstructed. Steps be taken to give us relief."
For sending children out of the state to study was not feasible financially.(A few studied surreptitiously with the padre or astrologer who was from the carpenter community (the carpenter made the birth chart with the help of his knowledge of circle, angles and ability to tell the exact time of birth by observing the celestial bodies.)
He remembered the editor of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai who was exiled by the govt and lived in Madras. In 1911 the venerable editor published the letter in Swadeshabhimani.
He went Dewan's office in his capacity as a member of the Praja Sabha. The sentries didnot let him in and called him 'names'. He went outside and sent a telegram to the Dewan. Within minutes, Dewan ordered that Ayyan Kali be brought before him.
When Ayyankali entered the office, the Dewan called for the sentries who had misbehaved with him.
"What punishment do you suggest for these policemen who misbehaved with you?"
Ayyankali was stunned. He thought...'except getting punishment from the savarna I haven't punished them'.
The Dewan was surprised at the perfect Malayalam that he spoke. Dewan was told that Ayyankali was an illiterate low caste. But Dewan found himself face to face with a mature, big hearted and capable man.
The Dewan said, "I accept Mr Ayyankali's opinion. But I am not going to let the guilty go scot free. Let the two sentries touch the feet of Ayyankali and ask for pardon.
"pardon us." the two policemen said.
"I had forgiven you then itself." Ayyankali said.
The Dewan read through the representation Ayyankali had brought.
"Mr Ayyankali! I am ready to do my best for your people." The Dewan said.
Happy at the statement of Dewan, Ayyankali took leave.
On an auspicious day in 1911, Tahesildar Padmanabha Pilla, a friend of Ayyankali, came in a bullock cart. Ayyankali wore a long black coat and set out to see the Dewan. The Dewan inspected the dress worn by his guest. He nodded his head in appreciation. Then he said in grave tones:
"Mr Ayyankali, you have been nominated as a member of Sreemoolam Praja Sabha. What are the immediate needs of your people?" the Dewan asked.
"Sir. we are 500,000 people. If it pleases you, let me request for one representative per 100,000 of Pulaya population". That was the first demand of the first Pulaya member of Maharaja's Praja Sabha.
So one more representative is granted. When the Sabha meets next year, please find a suitable person."
Historian KP Padmanabha menon criticised the move in the following words. <Sreemoolam Representative Sabha having a Pulaya sit alongside a Namboodiri reveals the extent of changes that time is capable of bringing about.>
Ayyankali made his maiden speech in the Praja Sabha held in 1912 at VJT Hall...
"Let me express my thanks to the honourable members of the previous meeting of Praja Sabha and the government for accepting unanimously our request to appoint a Pulaya representative in the present session of the Sabha.
"To fulfil the promise made to us about granting patta of plots from public land, we had applied to Neyyattinkara, Vilavamkode, Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumangadu taluk authorities. But nothing happened. The people of these taluks obstructed the process with the active connivance of some lower level workers of the revenue department. And whatever land the Pulayas found out to be public land was allotted to wealthy upper caste families. Not only that, the Pulayas were chased out of their humble homes and ended up without even what they possessed earlier. Except for asking the father like figure of govt for sympathy, we have no other way. Therefore, I pray for allotment of public land, and, as a test case some of the fallow land lying useless for our convenience and welfare.
"Many of our families have been evicted by rich land owners from our homes set up with oral assurance on their land. The forest officials are forcing my people to vacate their homes in the forests in collusion with landlords of the area. At the same time these very officials are helping the landlords to occupy these lands. Such illegalities have been done mainly in Valiyakavu in Chengannoor, Alapramuri in Changanassery taluk and Perumbaathumuri in Thiruvalla taluk. I pray for amelioration of such problems."
Such an oration from an illiterate Pulaya leader impressed the Dewan.
In Vilappil Paguthi 500 acres of fallow land available to those who like to go there.
On 12the March 1912 Ayyankali made a speech couched in a language of humility.
"As a representative of the Pulayas I convey to the govt our gratitude for the help regarding admission of our children in Venganur Elementary School. In Southern Travancode, only seven schools have allowed Pulaya children admission. I submit that all schools in the state admit our children."
"The Pulayas can get admission in all school where the Ezhava (BC) students are allowed," the Dewan clarified. "New students may be given fee concessions."
Dewan: "Are not Pulaya children getting the Concessions available to Mohammedans? I think it can be done." This revealed the Dewan's ignorance about the depressed classes.
Ayyankali: "Pulayas could be appointed in Engineering, Health, Medical departments. There are capable people who could be employed in Education department too. Though the Royal Decree has been announced to public giving Pulayas the right to walk on streets and to use public courts, they are harassed and obstructed. Steps be taken to give us relief."
No comments:
Post a Comment