Consider the following statements regarding the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–1925): 1. It was a prominent social protest in Travancore demanding the opening of prohibited public roads surrounding the Vaikom temple to lower-caste individuals. 2. Mahatma Gandhi visited Vaikom to confer with state authorities and support the satyagraha leadership. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Vaikom Satyagraha was a landmark non-violent campaign in Travancore demanding temple road entry rights for untouchable communities, led by local leaders such as T.K. Madhavan, K. Kelappan, and K.P. Kesava Menon. Mahatma Gandhi traveled to Travancore in March 1925 to negotiate with the regent queen Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and orthodox leaders, successfully securing compromise pathways. This struggle paved the way for subsequent temple entry movements across peninsular India.