SNDP Movement- Origin, Objectives, Key Reforms

The SNDP Movement, or the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Movement, played a crucial role in social reform during India’s pre-independence era. Emerging in South India, the SNDP Movement addressed the deep-rooted caste discrimination faced by the Ezhava community in Kerala. Led by the revered social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, the movement sought to uplift the Ezhavas, who were traditionally toddy tappers and were denied basic rights such as access to education and entry into temples. The SNDP Movement became a powerful symbol of equality, challenging the rigid caste hierarchy and promoting social justice across the region.

Who was Shree Narayan Guru Swami?

Shree Narayan Guru Swami was a revered Indian social reformer, philosopher, and spiritual leader from Kerala. He worked tirelessly to eradicate caste discrimination and promote equality and education for all.

• Shree Narayan Guru Swami was born on August 22, 1856, in Chempazhanthy.
• He was a member of the Ezhavas Community and was famously known as Avana. 
• Since early childhood, he cherished solitude over being in company and devoted his time to deep meditation. 
• In 1888, he created a Shivalinga at Aruvippuram using just a stone from the Neyyar River.
• He also started a revolution in Kerala to remove caste injustice and coined the famous slogan of One Caste, One Religion, One God for All. 

Movement Name	SNDP Movement
Founded	1903
Leader	Shree Narayana Guru
Key Focus	Caste reform, education, spiritual equality
Impact	Temple entry rights, literacy rise, caste unity

Also Read – 10 Places and Monuments That Shaped Indian History

Origin and Expansion of the SNDP Movement

• The Ezhavas were the most populous cast in the Indian state of Kerala, accounting for somewhere around 26% of the total population.
• In 1888, on the holy occasion of Shivaratri, Narayana Guru, who belonged to the Ezhavas caste, placed a stone from the Neyyar river as a Sivalinga at Aruvippuram.
• Through this revolutionary action, he wanted to spread the idea that the consecration of an idol is not something that should be limited to the upper caste members of society. 
• Many years later, in 1889, the Aruvippuram Kshetra Yogam was established to support the Ezhava community in their upliftment and overall advancement.
• In 1903, the Aruvippuram Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Yogam was founded and later registered under the Indian Companies Act.
• While Narayana Guru acted as the permanent chairman, Kumaran Asan was appointed as general secretary.

What were the Objectives of the SNDP Movement?

The SNDP Movement wasn’t just about one community. It aimed at a broader social change. Its core goals included:

• Eradication of caste-based discrimination
• Promotion of education among the backwards classes
• Temple entry rights for all, regardless of caste
• Economic empowerment through cooperative societies
• Spiritual upliftment without rituals or caste barriers
• Encouraging values like self-respect, unity, and rational thinking

• Oppose the predominance of upper caste members of the society.
• Promote social equality by removing caste prejudices and injustices. 
• Uplift the position of backwards castes by facilitating easy access to education, respected job opportunities, and better lifestyles. 
• Promote the rights of lower castes and remove their ban from entering religious places.

Reforms Under the SNDP Movement

The SNDP Movement also introduced numerous prominent reforms in the educational and religious sectors. 

Educational Reforms

• One of the primary aims of the SNDP Movement was to promote education among the oppressed sections of society.
• For this, Narayana Guru established numerous schools and institutions in and around Kerala. 

Religious Reforms

• Sri Narayana Guru established temples to help people from the backwards castes enter community religious places. 
• He travelled around Kerala for almost 15 years to help people with social awareness and develop self-confidence. 
• He appointed priests from his group of devout sanyasis.
• He advised his disciples to construct temples more cost-effectively.
• Instead of advocating for people to worship idols, he consecrated Sivalikha, a brass oil lamp, with the phrase Let There be Light. 
• Additionally, he also placed a plain stone with engraved inscriptions that stated Truth, Charity, Love, and Mercy in another shrine at Murukkunpuzha.

Social Reforms

• Shree Narayana Guru was at the forefront of bringing social reforms for the Ezhavas.
• In about 30 years, he managed to change the status of Ezhavas from untouchables to a background caste community.
• Additionally, he also collaborated with the Nair Service Society (NSS) to commence the temple admission program. 
• He encouraged members of his community to abandon outdated and irrational customs, including the mock marriage tradition (Thalikattu Sampradhayam) and Thirukkuli, a school-level ceremony marking puberty.
• Moreover, he was also against the idea of consuming alcoholic beverages.

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