jan 1, 1925 - Self Respect Movement by E.V.Ramaswamy Naicker 1925

Description:

Self-Respect Movement (aka. Suyamariyathai iyakkam) was a spirited social movement aimed at decimating the contemporary Hindu social order in its totality and creating a new, rational society without caste, religion and god.

It was an egalitarian principles agitation that broadcasted the ideologies of
(i) breaking down the Brahminical hegemony; (ii)equal rights for the backward classes and women in the society;
(iii) revitalization of the Dravidian languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

The movement is also known as the Dravidian Movement and aka. Rationalistic Association of South India , advocated for equal rights for the backward castes, with a focus on women's rights.

Inspired by the emphasis on self-respect in Tamil literature – known as tan-maanam or suya mariyadai

Annai Meenanmbal and Veeramal were two of the movement's female leaders.


Significance of the movement:

Provided the encouragement of inter-caste and interreligious weddings, as well as the legalization of marriages performed without the presence of a Brahman priest.
Tamil Nadu was the first state after independence to approve legislation allowing Hindu marriages without the use of a Brahmin priest.

The method of allocating separate seats in Municipal Councils for Harijan members was also abolished

The name boards of the hotels were changed from "Brahmins Hotel" to "Vegetarian Hotel" as a result of the movement's unwavering support.

People began to take pride in abandoning their caste name.



Periyar:

After failing to bend Congress to his views, Periyar resigned from the party in 1925 and associated himself with the Justice Party.

The non-Brahmin members of the Tamil Nadu Branch of the Congress organisation formed the Madras Presidency Association in 1917 to represent and safeguard the non-Brahmin interests in the national organisation.

The immediate aim of the Association at that time was to place before Montague, the Secretary of State for India, a scheme of reforms that would give non-Brahmins full communal representation in the legislature.

Rejoined the Congress in 1920 and got elected as President of Congress in Madras Presidency Branch.

He toured the Soviet Union as the leader of the Rationalistic Association of South India, a new name given to the Self-Respect Movement.

Formed two wings within the body of Self-Respect League Samadharma (Communist) Party of South India.
Erode Programme:
Both aimed at achieving political independence for the country through constitutional methods

In the 1940s, Periyar launched Dravidar Kazhagam, which espoused an independent Dravida Nadu comprising Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada speakers.

C.Rajagopalachari tried to bring Naicker into congress after he left for the demand of Communal Representation but M.Gandhi denied it.

He joined the Muslim League and supported its demand for partition. Jinnah’s two nation theory was conceded and upheld by EVR as the only solution for the Muslims to live harmoniously in a nation dominated by the Aryan Brahmins.

On 27th June 1970 by the UNESCO organization honored Periyar as “The Socrates of South Asia”. It described Periyar as “The prophet of the new age”.


Writings:

“Kudi Arasu”- Tamil Weekly
Published an English magazine under the title “Revolt” in 1928.
‘Puratchi’ (Revolution) -Magazine
‘Pagutharivu’ (Rationalism)
‘Viduthalai’ as Tamil Daily
Tamil Bi-monthly, the “Unmai” (Truth)
Had to undergo to iimprisonment for the publication of his book ‘Ponmozhigal’ (Golden sayings).

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