Ezhava Sikhs

Ezhavas are the largest Hindu community in Kerala and are also one of the major progressive communities of the state. They are considered to be descendants of Villavar the founders of ancient Dravidian Chera Dynasty who once ruled parts of southern India.

During Mahatma Gandhi's 1922 Vaikom Satyagraha movement against untouchability, a few Akalis, an order of armed Sikhs, went to Vaikom (Kerala) in support of the demonstrators. After successfully completing the Satyagraha and after the Temple Entry Proclamation, some of the Akalis remained. Some Ezhava youth were attracted to the concepts of the Sikhism and as a result, joined the religion. Many Ezhavas were also prompted to join Sikhism after remarks by Ambedkar. However, after the significant growth of the Ezhava movement, many families later retuned to Hinduism and the number of Sikh Ezhavas dwindled.