Reminder of Smarthavicharam, an inhuman kangaroo trial of women accused of adultery, which, if found guilty, reduced them to a “ sathanam ” (an inanimate object). 1936: Temple entry proclamation, considered the most important social reform in India after the abolition of Sati. The temple entry proclamation abolished the ban on people from lower castes from entering Hindu temples in the princely state of Travancore (whose seat of power was in Thiruvananthapuram). Archival materials on many other social reforms are part of the exhibition but a precursor to the temple entry proclamation holds significance for the events unfolding in the country now. Even the Mahatma had to wait for 12 years before the temple entry proclamation was made.

Source: The Telegraph December 31, 2019 21:11 UTC