Students Distribute Temple Entry Proclamation Copies Across Public Spaces for 90th Anniversary

Copies of the 1936 Temple Entry Proclamation were distributed in houses and public spaces as students of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Karamana, marked its 90th anniversary on Saturday.

The proclamation was issued by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former king of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom, on November 12, 1936, amid the social reformation under way at the time.

Proclamation taken to public spaces

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 held by the Archives department was handed over to the school’s students and teachers for distribution and display.

The proclamation reached houses, residents’ associations, shops and commercial establishments, and libraries.

Autorickshaw drivers also helped take copies of the proclamation to passengers.

The initiative allowed the document to be displayed across different public and community spaces, extending the anniversary observance beyond the school.

Nonagenarians felicitated

The anniversary programme also included the felicitation of nonagenarians Gopalakrishnan and his wife Sarojam, who live near the school.

Gopalakrishnan is a retired income tax official.

Class V student Shikha and ward councillor Karama Ajith felicitated them with a copy of the proclamation and a ponnada.

Head teacher Mini. Y. said the proclamation taught lessons at a time when marginalisation was re-emerging.

Principal Bilu V.B. was present at the programme.

Year-long programme planned

The school’s year-long celebrations will include a proclamation rally from East Fort to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Cultural meetings with historians, visits to memorials for leaders of the reformation, a quiz and other events will also be organised, according to PTA representatives.

Source: The Hindu