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Periyar
Context:
Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy, commonly known as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was a prominent Indian social activist and politician born on September 17, 1879.
About:
- Periyar is best known as the founder of the Self-Respect Movement and the Dravidar Kazhagam, earning the title “Father of the Dravidian Movement“.
- His work primarily focused on challenging Brahminical dominance and advocating for the rights of marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu.
Contributions to National and Social Reform Movements:
Role in the National Movement:
- Periyar joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, where he initially worked towards social reforms and participated in the freedom struggle.
- He became president of the Madras Presidency Congress Committee in 1922, advocating for representation of depressed classes in education and government jobs.
- However, he became disillusioned with the Congress due to its Brahmin-centric leadership and its failure to address the needs of non-Brahmins.
- This led him to resign from the party in 1925, believing that true freedom required self-respect and equality for all individuals, regardless of caste or religion.
Social Reforms:
- Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement, founded in 1926, aimed to eradicate caste-based discrimination and promote gender equality.
- He emphasised rationalism and atheism, rejecting religious dogmas that perpetuated social inequalities.
- His movement encouraged individuals to take pride in their identity and fight against societal norms that devalued them based on birth. The movement also included initiatives like Self-Respect marriages, which were conducted without traditional rituals that reinforced caste hierarchies.
- One of Periyar’s significant contributions was his leadership in the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924-1925), a campaign for temple entry rights for lower castes in Travancore.
- His involvement helped bring national attention to the issue of untouchability and contributed to subsequent temple entry movements across India.
Factors Leading to Advocacy for Social Reforms:
- Caste Discrimination: The oppressive caste system marginalised many communities, leading to widespread social injustice.
- Brahminical Dominance: The dominance of Brahmins in political and educational spheres created a need for representation and rights for non-Brahmin communities.
- Colonial Influence: British colonial policies often exacerbated caste divisions, prompting reformers like Periyar to challenge these injustices.
- Awakening of National Consciousness: The broader Indian freedom struggle inspired many leaders to seek not just political independence but also social equality.