PERIYAR E.V. RAMASWAMY

Source: IndianExpress

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Context

Rationalist social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy was remembered on the occasion of his 146th birth anniversary in Chennai on September 17.

About Periyar Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy

• Born in Erode, Tamil Nadu, into a Kannada-speaking Balija merchant family.
• Initially drawn to Gandhian principles of non-cooperation, but later diverged due to fundamental ideological differences regarding caste and nationalism.

Key Movements

• Rationalism and Anti-Caste Activism:
  • • Periyar was a staunch critic of the caste system and promoted rationalism.
    • He sought to eliminate the exploitation of marginalized communities, especially non-Brahmin Dravidians.
    • He v opposed Indo-Aryan dominance and Brahminical traditions.
• Self-Respect Movement:
  • • Founded in 1925, it encouraged self-dignity, independence from oppressive religious customs, and the rejection of caste hierarchy.
    • A notable reform was the introduction of "Self-Respect Marriages” (eliminated Brahmin priests and religious rituals from marriage ceremonies).
• Women's Rights:
  • • He pushed for gender equality in areas like marriage, property inheritance, and reproductive rights.
    • He argued for contraceptive accessin the 1930s.

Political Legacy

• Formation of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK):
  • • In 1944, Periyar transformed the Justice Partyinto the Dravidar Kazhagam.
    • It focused on Dravidian identity and the rights of the Adi-Dravida people.
    • The DK rejected Brahminical dominance and Hindi imposition.
    • His ideologies heavily influenced the formation of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Opposition to Nationalism and Religion

• Periyar critiqued Indian nationalism.
• True freedom would only be achieved when the caste system and poverty were eradicated.
• He had ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi (around caste-based discrimination and the promotion of Hindi in Tamil Nadu).
• He was a vocal atheist.
• His belief in rational discourseas a means for societal progress was inspired by thinkers like Socrates.

Read about Vaikom satyagraha: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/vaikom-satyagraha

Sources:

IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION Q:Consider the following pairs: Movement/Organization Leader: All India Anti-Untouchability League Mahatma Gandhi All India Kisan Sabha Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Self-Respect Movement Naicker E.V. Ramaswami Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: d Explanation: 1st pair is correct: This organization was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1932 to combat untouchability and promote the social integration of the Dalits (then called Harijans). Gandhi was deeply committed to eradicating untouchability, and this league was part of his broader efforts to uplift marginalized communities in India. 2nd pair is correct: The All India Kisan Sabha was established in 1936 to represent the interests of the farmers and peasants. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, a prominent socialist leader and freedom fighter, was one of its leading figures. He played a key role in organizing peasants and advocating for their rights against landlords. 3nd pair is correct: The Self-Respect Movement was started by E.V. Ramaswami Naicker, popularly known as Periyar, in Tamil Nadu in 1925. The movement aimed to eliminate the caste system and promote rationalism, self-respect, and equality, especially focusing on the rights of the lower castes and women.