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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'.

Evil customs and practices existed in all parts of India and the social reform movements that were organized to eradicate them. Vaikunta Swamikal was one of the earlier social reformers in Kerala. He was born at Shastamkoyil in Kanyakumari.

During that period, the Avarnas (lower caste people) were prohibited from drawing water from the wells used by the Savarnas (upper caste people). Vaikunta Swamikal challenged this social abuse by digging wells, which were free for use by everyone irrespective of caste. He also began the practice of inter-dining (Samapanthibhojanam) where people collected and cooked rice, cereals and vegetables and dined together, irrespective of their caste.