Question

Who started Prathyksha Raksha Daiva Sabha, a Dalit liberation movement in Kerala?

• A. Poykayil Yohannan
• B. Pandit Karuppan
• C. Natraja Guru
• D. Thycaud Ayya

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Poykayil Yohannan

• Prathyksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (PRDS) was a significant Dalit liberation movement in Kerala that was founded by Poykayil Yohannan in 1909. Born in 1879 in Eraviperoor, Kottayam district, Poykayil Yohannan was a visionary social reformer who dedicated his life to the upliftment of the oppressed Dalit community.

• The Prathyksha Raksha Daiva Sabha, which translates to "God's Church of Visible Salvation," was established as a response to the severe caste discrimination and social injustices faced by the Dalit community in Kerala. Yohannan's movement aimed to provide spiritual, social, and educational empowerment to the marginalized sections of society.

• The organization had its headquarters in Eraviperoor and worked towards:

  • Promoting education among Dalits

  • Fighting against caste-based discrimination

  • Providing spiritual guidance and religious reforms

  • Creating awareness about social rights and dignity

• Poykayil Yohannan's approach was unique as he combined religious reformation with social activism, making PRDS one of the earliest and most influential Dalit liberation movements in Kerala. His work laid the foundation for later social reform movements in the state and contributed significantly to the Kerala Renaissance period.