KERALA PULAYAR MAHA SABHA (KPMS) AS A SOCIAL MOVEMENT A CONTEMPORARY ANALYSIS

Abstract

Kerala Pulayar Maha sabha (KPMS) which was an offshoot of Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (SJPS) was engaged in the attempts of educational, social, economic and cultural advancement of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the State. The mission of KPMS is economic development of the community by giving importance to charity activities along with continuing agitation for social justice and for protecting constitutional rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Over the years KPMS has sustained itself as a space of expression, agitation and identity of the pulaya community in Kerala .It was considered a part of the other social uprisings in Kerala, during the last century and is a social movement in its soul. In the present context of new uprisings, of once oppressed or under privileged in the country, the researcher feels that a contemporary analysis of KPMS. Through this study the researcher has made an effort to document the current dynamics of the KPMS.. The study followed an ethnographic approach, covering the various units in the Venganoor region Today the KPMS is considering by other as an organization which works at all spheres of the life of pulaya community. But, at the end of this study, the researcher could understand that the problems within this organization . The internal conflicts has weaken the whole structure of KPMS and the lack of good leaders, youth-women participation, lack of initiatives in the part of KPMS to the various needs of the community, lack of political will are factors which cause the weak functioning of KPMS.