SOCIAL REFORMATIVE MOVEMENTS  

As in the other parts of Kerala, the social evils like the cast system, untouchabiltiy etc were there in Payyanur.  The social reformative movements, which were part of the freedom struggle and the crusade by the great son of Payyanur, Swami Ananda Theertha, played a vital role in eradicating these social evils.

The social reformative activities carried out in the leadership of AKG and other leaders on behalf of the freedom movements helped a lot to bring new revolutions to put an end to the social evils which were a shame to the civilized society.  The assault on AKG at Kandoth, a village in Payyanur, by the pro-cast created a new chapter in the history of Kerala.  Swami Ananda Theertha selected Payyanur as his domain as a consequence of this incident.

AKG, in his autobiography, "The story my life", describes this incident as a major breakthrough in his life. AS a part of the fight against the colonial rule, KPCC decided to conduct agitation against the social evils like untouchability.  K. Kelappan, AKG and other such leaders sponsored this decision.  The first phase of the agitation was to gain the entry to the temples for all.   The Guruvayoor Temple was selected as the venue for the agitation and AKG was appointed as the captain of the volunteer group.  As part of the campaign for the Guruvayoor Satyagraha, AKG and TS Tirumumbu traveled all over North Malabar.  The leaders like AC Kannan Nair and KT Kunhiraman Nambiar supported them.

During the campaign AKG came to know about the primitive rules imposed at Kandoth.   The custodians of the temple allowed nobody to use the public road passing in front of the Koormba Temple.   They feared that this might pollute the temple.  AKG decided to fight against this barbarian system.

AKG along with Keraleeyan lead a procession in which hundreds of people participated which included harijans also.  When the procession reached near the temple, a group of people belonging to the custodians of the temple  including ladies, were carrying sticks, clubs and other household weapons, opened brutal attack on the volunteers.  Many volunteers ran away with their lives while many were brutally attacked.   The attack continued for around one and half-hours.  AKG and Keraleeyan became unconscious and were taken to Payyanur hospital.  They remained unconscious for hours.

According to AKG, this was the first physical assault on him during his political life.  This incident acted as the best campaign for the Guruvayoor Satyagraha.  Because of this incident, the District Board Authorities had to visit the spot and take action to put an end to the barbarous law imposed there.  As a result the authorities erected a board saying,  " all are allowed to use this public road".

[The story of the "kandoth incident " given above was  prepared  with the help of the autobiography of AKG]