On account of the Brahminism being practised in Travancore State under the pretence of being the real Hinduism, the evils inflicted upon the subjects of this land are becoming more intolerable by the day. The belief is that the kingdom of Travancore was given to Sri Padmanabhaswamy and hence the supremacy of this state belongs to Sri Padmanabhaswamy, and for this reason, the advocates of God’s supremacy maintain that the king should be careful to gain the favour of the Brahmins. As a result, among the righteous subjects of this country, many classes have been pushed to the backyards of justice. A large part of the wealth accumulated due to the indefatigable efforts of non-Brahmins among the Hindus and others such as Christians, Mohammedans, etc. were spent for the sake of Brahmins. In spite of the fact that most of them regretted doing many things against their religious system and conscience…(text missing)

…no one would deny the fact that it is not the correct course for an administration to spend the wealth of the people of other castes and religions to manage the affairs of a particular caste and religion under its own jurisdiction. While religion is a special thing based on the belief in God and depends on the consciousness felt in the mind of each one about God and the state of the universe, a government should not establish special departments or make other religions work for the people of one preferred religion contrary to their own religious duties. It is sad to see that the government turned a deaf ear to their plight even though the non-Hindus of Travancore did not hinder the government in any way to do what the Brahmins wanted. Including a religious institution - which is not under the special responsibility of the government - in the matter of state administration, in order to specifically strengthen the religion of the Brahmins and to confirm the foreign Brahmins in the administration of the kingdom, which has led to a situation that henceforth the non-Hindus will be prevented from attaining any higher position among the administrators of this land and from promoting the welfare of their caste.

It has been some time since the Christians, Mohammedans, and Ezhavas were barred from joining the revenue department in Travancore because the Hindu Devaswom Department, the Revenue Department, and the Magisterial Department have not been kept separately but consolidated into one group. On the fourth day meeting of Sri Moolam Popular assembly recently, Mr. T.C. Cherian, as the representative of Travancore Kochi Christian Association, made very logical and well-reasoned arguments in this regard. Although the government heard the arguments, the report of the assembly, which has now been published, omits the figures relating to the excess of foreign Brahmin officers etc. which was given in Mr. Cherian's speech. The grievances raised by those church members about the jobs in the revenue department are still unaddressed. In Travancore itself, in the olden days, when the foreign Brahmins were not as numerous and influential as they are now, Christians were appointed as tehsildars. Even today in Kochi province, which is more steeped in Brahminism than Travancore, Christian tehsildars are being appointed to investigate the affairs of Hindu devaswoms*. Christian congregations highlight such incidents to justify their part of the arguments. If the various classes argue that they should have a share in land administration to which they are entitled, it is but natural for the people to be dissatisfied with the administrators who do not know and act fairly. In the present situation, it must be assumed that such an unhappiness may have been created in the case of Dewan V. P. Madhava Rao as well. We do not think that the just claim of the Christians will be settled unless the Devaswom Department is separated from the Revenue Department and the Revenue and Magisterial Departments are separated.

We will have to dismiss the superficial selfishness of the "Malabar Mail" newspaper, a Brahminical newspaper, which has preached a lot against Christians on this subject, as trivialities. As progressive education has banished idolatry from the religion of civilised people, we are of the opinion that there is nothing to regret if the government does not administer a department in this way. At present, the tehsil magistrates are wasting away their time in temples conducting festivals and having feasts. Also, even if the revenue affairs and magisterial affairs are not conducted properly, and if only a festival, pooja or feast is held in the temple, they are given ......(text missing)..... rewards such as the chains of valour. As a result of such arrangements, the land administration will not turn out to be beneficial to the people. Dividing the Devaswom Department into separate entities is, by all means, necessary and beneficial. It is the royal duty to do so and allow the Christians, Mohammedans, and Ezhavas to have ample access to the revenue department. We appeal to the rulers of the kingdom and reiterate that it is a grave sin and disgrace to make others suffer for the sake of the Brahmins.

Translator note:

*Devaswoms refer to socio-religious trusts that oversee Hindu temples and their assets to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with traditional rituals and customs.