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Guru made pioneering efforts for reform: Chief Justice

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The social renaissance heralded by the saint and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru was the pioneering effort in changing the social order and moulding people with social commitment in South India, Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan has said.

Inaugurating a building constructed to protect Vayalvaram Veedu, ancestral house of the Guru at Chempazhanthy here on Friday, Mr. Balakrishnan said the country had not witnessed a total renaissance movement, but there were stray efforts, such as the movement launched by Rajaram Mohun Roy against sati. The “Channan” revolt in Kerala was a similar agitation against social inequalities. A national movement such as the Indian National Congress (INC) discussed socialism at its Kakinada session at the behest of T.K. Madhavan. The renaissance heralded by the Guru triggered a movement in South India, which, in turn, helped in moulding a community with social commitment and dedication. It also led to the Vaikkom and Guruvayur Satyagrahas and the Temple Entry Proclamation. The social changes that swept the State were the main achievements of the Guru, he said.

Education Minister M.A. Baby, in his presidential address, said the Guru was one who held that all living beings should have shelter. Imbibing the ideals of his predecessors, he preached it lucidly for the common man. Had the world learnt the ideals of the Guru, it would not have witnessed the blasts such as those in Pakistan on Thursday.

Mr. Baby described the Guru as an “Ekalavya” who fought against and upset the social order which then existed. Mr. Balakrishnan too was one who upset the system in which those hailed from aristocratic families had the right to occupy high offices in the country. Mr. Baby said the “Guru Kulam” had been dedicated to humanity and it would inspire the creation of a casteless society.

Gokulam Gopalan, who got the building constructed, welcomed the gathering. Nirmala Balakrishnan lit the lamp. Swami Prakasananda, president, Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Swami Rithambarananda, Swami Sachidananda, Swami Amrithananda, Swami Swaroopananda, M.A. Wahid, MLA, and Abdussamad Samadani, Indian Union Muslim League leader, spoke.

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