Ayyankali was a social revolutionary who fought for the basic freedom of the vast masses by organizing independent struggles against caste system. He literally stood for the rights of the Dalit people . Ayyanakali's Villuvandi Yathra is the first struggle for freedom of travel on public road for the oppressed. Dalit people faced lots of physical attack from the upper caste Hindus. Ayyanakali questioned the practices and customs which marginalised and ostracised the Dalits. Ayyanakali proved that even a single man can resist the society at large and make a difference.
Inorder to uplift the material condition of low class people or sadhu janam, Ayyanakali established Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam ( SJPS) in 1907. which helped to bring solidarity among the servile people. He got inspiration from Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyavu Swamikal.
Ayyankali believed that only a social revolution would transform Kerala society. Though he was illiterate, he fought for education of the backward classes. He wanted to enter his people in public sphere and to get civil rights.
Dalits couldn't enter in to public sphere because of their illiteracy. The upper caste and intermediary caste groups were not ready to change their mind set .
The middle class of Kerala utilised all the opportunities of colonial modernity. But the Dalits deprived of all human rights .
He realised that only the English knowing educated people could enter into the domain of the public sphere. So he demanded English education for Dalits.
Thus, the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam ( SJPS) was formed under the leadership of in 1907. This organisation was not only for one caste but for all depressed servile people.
SJPS Was a successful platform for Dalit people. Both Christian missionaries and Brahmin Hindus disliked Dalits entering into their respective religious sect. Ayyanakali strived for their economic development than the spiritual development.
Ayyankali established the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam with a view of activating his community to seek the path of progressive change and reform. The SJPS and it's activities can be considered as a basement for the modern Dalit consciousness in Kerala.
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