Context: The Prime Minister of India paid tribute to social reformer Mahatma Ayyankali on his 157th birth anniversary.

About Mahatma Ayyankali

• Ayyankali was born on August 28, 1863 in the princely state of Travancore (presently part of Kerala).
• Ayyankali was a member of the Pulayar community of untouchable people.
• Members of the Pulayar community generally were rural slaves at that time.
• The caste discrimination he faced as a child turned him into a leader of an anti-caste movement and who later fought for basic rights including access to public spaces and entry to schools.
• Ayyankali in 1893 rode an ox-cart challenging the ‘ban’ on untouchables from accessing public roads by caste-Hindus.
• This is celebrated as one of the major achievements in the history of Dalit movements in Kerala.
• Ayyankali started Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (association for the protection of the poor) which raised funds to start schools for Dalits.

Title

• Mahatma Gandhi called Ayyankali as ‘Pulaya king’.
• Indira Gandhi described him as ‘India’s greatest son’.