"Some are pushing children centuries backwards, Kerala strengthening public education," says Pinarayi Vijayan

Speaking at the event, Vijayan said caste had historically functioned as an instrument of oppression and control, shaping social, economic and legal structures. The Chief Minister also criticised attempts to dilute rational education, stating that some forces were trying to push society backwards by promoting irrational ideas.

"Caste itself functioned as the state and as an instrument of oppression....While some in power elsewhere attempt to push children centuries backwards by promoting irrational ideas and myths in education, Kerala is giving utmost priority to strengthening public education. Attempts to include superstitions that Guru fought against in the syllabus are a direct insult to his rational educational philosophy.," he said.

He further warned against efforts to reintroduce regressive social hierarchies in modern forms. "Today, political attempts are underway to re-establish the old chaturvarna system in the form of a modern legal order. These efforts must not succeed. Guru's life message, which stood firmly against caste and religious divisions, places a responsibility on every individual to resist such tendencies," Vijayan added.

He further added, "Caste was not merely a social structure; it regulated production relations, occupations, wages, rights and duties. It functioned as a legal system, with separate laws for each caste. An upper-caste person faced no punishment for killing a lower-caste person, while the reverse invited severe penalties, even death. In effect, caste itself functioned as the state and as an instrument of oppression."

Referring to the historical significance of the Sivagiri Theerthadanam, the Chief Minister said the pilgrimage has remained a major source of inspiration for Kerala's social and cultural life.

"The Sivagiri Theerthadanam, which has become a constant source of inspiration, is completing 93 years. In three more years, the centenary of Sree Narayana Guru's samadhi will be observed," he said.

He also spoke about the social conditions under the Travancore princely rule, noting that power was concentrated in the hands of a few, while large sections of society lived under humiliation and servitude.

"Challenging Brahminism was the first step towards liberation from this oppression. To challenge Brahminism meant dismantling the logic of the caste system itself, which was the moral backbone of

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah attended the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala. (ANI)