The Ezhava people live mainly in the southern Indian state of Kerala, with a national population of about 8 million as of 2018. Once considered untouchables, the Ezhava endured generations of humiliation and discrimination. For instance, Ezhava women were forbidden to cover their chests, as wearing an upper garment was viewed as a privilege reserved for higher castes. Some Ezhava families sought freedom from caste oppression by converting to Christianity or Islam, yet India’s deeply entrenched social hierarchy continued to marginalize them.
During British colonial rule, many Ezhava families found opportunities for advancement through new economic activities, including trade with the British East India Company, allowing them to accumulate wealth. The British, unconstrained by caste restrictions and in need of affordable labor, also employed Ezhava workers in the colonial bureaucracy. Around the same period, the Basel Mission* arrived in India, establishing schools that provided the Ezhava access to education—a key turning point in their social mobility.
Today, some Ezhava have risen to prominence across various sectors, while others still struggle under the lingering shadow of caste discrimination. Though information about their current situation is limited, we can continue to pray for them with faith and hope.
*A Protestant mission founded in Switzerland in 1815, the Basel Mission began overseas work in 1828 and entered India in 1834.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, the label of “untouchable” has long marked the Ezhava people with shame and pain. Yet You are the God who lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from the ash heap. Reveal Yourself to the Ezhava—that You are the defender of the oppressed and the Savior who delights to redeem. May they encounter Your love and find a new identity in You, boldly declaring that they are Your beloved children and heirs of Your glory. We also pray that You would raise up influential advocates to stand on their behalf, working to remove the stigma and inequality they have endured for generations. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
