Question

Who founded the newspaper 'Swadeshabhimani'?

• A. Ayyankali
• B. Vaikunta Swamikal
• C. Chattampi Swamikal
• D. Vakkom Abdul Khader Maulavu

Answer 1

The correct option is D Vakkom Abdul Khader Maulavu

Many social evils like the denial of equal opportunity and exploitation prevailed in Kerala due to rigid caste hierarchy. Discrimination was apparent in clothing, occupation, dwellings, language and even names. Women were denied equal opportunities. It is this social condition that prompted Swami Vivekananda to describe Kerala as a 'lunatic asylum'.
During this period, several social reform movements were formed in Kerala to tackle them. Vakkom Abdul Khader Maulavi was one of the reformers who strived for social reforms in Kerala. He:

• Fought against superstitions.
• Promoted English education.
• Nurtured women education.
• Promoted education that gave importance to science and arts.

He had mastered various languages like Malayalam, Urdu, Arabic, Sanskrit and Persian. He founded the magazines Muslim and Al Islam and the newspaper Swadeshabhimani to spread the light of knowledge.