We are celebrating 75 years of independence and Nirahara Satyagraha was a key tool used by India's pioneers to create disruption.
Even though the term Satyagraha may have been coined by Mahatma Gandhi, the excerpt from the Malayalam book Sakthan Thampuran by Puthezhath Raman Menon details about the same practice used by people of Kerala from time immemorial.
Puthezhath says that peaceful "Hunger Strike" was very common in Kerala and was a strong form of protest. If any Ruler, Raja or Administrator made a mistake or did a crime, common people could commence a hunger strike until the mistake or crime is corrected. In Trichur or Thrishur or Thrishivaperoor, there was a building named "Pattini-pura" or Hunger-house which was specifically made for people to perform the strike.
Note: According to Indian tradition, it is a grave sin to the ruler/raja/administrator if a person dies of hunger.
Unfortunately, this book is out of print, this was first published by Mathrubhumi books.
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