Woman activist behind 'maru marakkal' movement dies

Lakshmikutty Amma, who led the historic "maru marakkal" (right to cover chests of women) in Kerala passed away here, family sources said.
102-year-old Lakshmikutty, who died last night, was at the forefront of the agitation in 1952 at Velur in the district where landlords traditionally insisted that women of lower caste should participate in 'Vela' (a festival) at a temple without their chests covered.
Severe punishments were given in those days to those lower caste women who participated in the festival with chests covered.
The practice came to an end in the wake of the agitation.
She also took part in the Velur canal agitation of 1948 against the exploitation of labourers during the construction of a canal from the Vazhani dam.

An activist of the undivided Communist Party, she later moved to the CPI(M).
She is survived by three daughters and two sons.