Ayyankali

Ayyankali (1863 - 1914) was a leader of the Indian lower caste Dalits ("Untouchables").

Ayyankali was born in 1863 at Perunkattuvila in Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

During his times, Dalits were not allowed to walk along public roads. The Dalit women were not allowed to cover their breasts in public places.

Ayyankali organized Dalits and fought against these discriminations. By 1900 Dalits got freedom to walk the public roads, and later, by 1914, Dalit children were allowed to join schools. Also, Dalit women got freedom to cover their nakedness by the efforts of Ayyankali.

He founded the Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham in 1905. He was also nominated to the Sri Moolam Legislative Assembly of Travancore in 1910.

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