The People's Sanctum: The 100-Year Struggle to Democratize Temples In India

Name: The People's Sanctum: The 100-Year Struggle to Democratize Temples In India
Brand: PRH India Local Print
SKU: 9789377304553
Price: 455.0 INR
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by Shunmugasundaram, Manuraj

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ISBN13: 9789377304553
Binding: Hardcover
Subject: N/A
Publisher: PRH India Local Print
Publisher Imprint: Penguin Vintage
Publication Date: June 26, 2026
Pages: 216
Original Price: INR 699.0
Language: English
Edition: N/A
Item Weight: 160 grams
BISAC Subject(s): N/A

About The Book

One hundred years ago, a powerful movement was taking root in southern India, and through its radical trajectory, building the future for true Indian equality. In the princely state of Travancore in what is today southern Kerala, a protest to challenge a ban that prevented the people of oppressed castes from using the roads around Vaikom Mahadeva temple had mobilised thousands. Gaining momentum from leaders such as TK Madhavan, Periyar EV Ramasamy and Mahatma Gandhi, the dramatic yet sustained protests ultimately led to several roads being opened to all castes.

The gains from Vaikom in part inspired the birth of the Self-Respect Movement, an indigenous socio-political movement that attacked caste hierarchy within temples. As the movement marks a hundred years, Manuraj Shunmugasundaram explains how an agitation for equal access to roads has led to, among other reforms, state legislation enabling the appointment of priests from all castes. Unpacking Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar’s brilliant drafting of social reform into the Constitution, the author argues that intra-religious equality is Indian secularism.

Combined with the analysis on the role of constitutional courts in resolving disputes between temple entry and religious freedoms, The People’s Sanctum traces the important and impactful changes to the socio-religious fabric of the country over the last century.

About The Author

Manuraj Shunmugasundaram graduated with honours in Physics from the Australian National University. He subsequently worked in education policy and trained as a political aide before completing a second graduate degree in law. He has since worked as a lawyer, practising before the High Court of Madras and Supreme Court of India. He is also a Media Spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a leading political party in Tamil Nadu, and a student of the Dravidian Movement. He writes regularly for various newspapers such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Times of India and Hindustan Times.

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