https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=116.68.74.165Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]2026-08-05T10:47:05ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahatma_Ayyankali_Hall&diff=317672Mahatma Ayyankali Hall2022-04-11T03:52:13Z<p>116.68.74.165: </p>
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[[File:Victoria Jubilee Town Hall Thiruvananthapuram.jpg|thumb|Mahatma Ayyankali Hall in Thiruvananthapuram]]<br />
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'''Mahatma Ayyankali Hall''', originally Victoria Jubilee Town Hall (VJT Hall), also known by its former name "VJT Hall", is a town hall in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It had originally been built as a gift from the British Empire to [[Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma]], the then Maharaja of [[Travancore]], to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the coronation of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], the then Empress of India and Queen of Britain, in 1896.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtpcthiruvananthapuram.com/History.html |title=DTPC Thiruvananthapuram |website=www.dtpcthiruvananthapuram.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119124043/http://dtpcthiruvananthapuram.com/History.html |archive-date=2009-01-19}} </ref><br />
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In 2019, it was renamed by the current [[Chief Minister of Kerala]] [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] to honor the social reformer [[Ayyankali]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vjt-hall-thiruvananthapuram-be-renamed-after-social-reformer-ayyankali-108012|title = VJT Hall in Thiruvananthapuram to be renamed after social reformer Ayyankali|date = 29 August 2019}}</ref> Renaming the building resulted in criticism from some historians who felt there would be a more appropriate way to honor Ayyankali. Nevertheless, Dalit activists, such as Sunny Kapikad, supported the renaming of the hall, as they feel Ayyankali has not been honored in a respectful manner and renaming the hall would give due respect to both Ayyankali and the Dalit community as a whole.<ref>{{cite news |title=Renaming Thiruvananthapuram's VJT Hall not ideal way to honour Ayyankali, feel historians |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2019/aug/30/renaming-thiruvananthapurams-vjt-hall-not-ideal-way-to-honour-ayyankali-feel-historians-2026306.html |access-date=9 February 2021 |agency=The New Indian Express |date=30 August 2019}}</ref><br />
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Today, this hall has retained its architectural and cultural richness and is one of the most sought-after centres for exhibitions and cultural get-togethers in Thiruvananthapuram.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualtourist.com/hotels/Asia/India/State_of_Kerala/Thiruvananthapuram-1084917/Hotels_and_Accommodations-Thiruvananthapuram-Somatheeram_Ayurvedic_Beach_Resort-BR-1.html |title=Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Thiruvananthapuram, India - VirtualTourist.com |website=www.virtualtourist.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060415233420/http://www.virtualtourist.com/hotels/Asia/India/State_of_Kerala/Thiruvananthapuram-1084917/Hotels_and_Accommodations-Thiruvananthapuram-Somatheeram_Ayurvedic_Beach_Resort-BR-1.html |archive-date=2006-04-15}} </ref><br />
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==References==<br />
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[[Category:City and town halls in India]]<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Thiruvananthapuram]]<br />
[[Category:1896 establishments in India]]<br />
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1896]]</div>116.68.74.165