Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to the contribution of Mahatma Ayyankali towards education in Kerala, on the occasion of the 152nd birth anniversary of the Dalit icon.
"I would first like to greet the people of Kerala on the occasion of Onam. It is the misfortune of India that for reasons unknown, those who lived for the society are forgotten. If we look at India's freedom struggle, we'll see that events of the 19th century had a major impact," said Prime Minister Modi.
"Several social movements born in the 19th century narrates the example of Ayyankali's protest in 1913. Even Dr Ambedkar fought for the rights of the Dalit Community. He fought injustice but never gave the message of hate," he said.
The Prime Minister further stressed on the importance of brotherhood and equality to retain harmony in the nation.
"To achieve harmony, one has to move together with equality and love for all. We have to take the feeling of self upliftment and that of all coming together to achieve harmony. Till then, harmony in society cannot be achieved," Prime Minister Modi added.
Mahatma Ayyankali was a leader from Kerala who fought for the right of the Dalits. He started many reforms to improve the lives of the Dalits.