The Tamil Nadu government is set to build a memorial for social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy in Arookutty, Kerala, where he was imprisoned during the Vaikom Satyagraha.
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- The memorial will honour Periyar’s contribution to the social reform movement that fought against the rigid caste system.
About Vaikom Protest
- Non-Violent Protest in Vaikom: Vaikom, a temple town located in the princely state of Travancore, witnessed the commencement of a non-violent protest on March 30, 1924.
- This marked the inception of the temple entry movements, which would later resonate across the nation.
- Emphasis on Social Reforms: The satyagraha placed emphasis on social reform amidst the rising nationalist movement, introducing Gandhian protest methods to Travancore.
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Legacy of Vaikom Satyagraha
- Endurance Amid Adversity: The Vaikom satyagraha stood as a remarkable movement, enduring for more than 600 days despite hostile social pressures, police interventions, and the devastating flood of 1924.
- Unity Across Caste boundaries: It also witnessed unprecedented unity across caste boundaries, a pivotal factor in its sustained mobilisation.
- Reason for Success: The Temple Entry Proclamation along with the demonstration of Gandhian methods of civil disobedience as effective tools of protest, was the great success of the Vaikom satyagraha.
- Thus, despite its shortcomings, the Vaikom satyagraha brought untouchability, unapproachability, and unseeability to the forefront of political issues in India.
About Periyar EV Ramasamy
- He was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam (DK).
- The title “Periyar,” means “Respected Elder”.
- Since 2021, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has celebrated his birth anniversary as ‘Social Justice Day’.
- Political Beginnings: Periyar began his political career as a Congress worker in Erode in 1919.
- Vaikom Satyagraha (1924): He actively participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha with his wife and was arrested twice, earning him the title “Vaikom Veerar” (Hero of Vaikom).
- Resignation from Congress: He resigned from the Congress in 1925 when he felt that the party was only serving the interests of Brahmins.
- Association with Justice Party: He associated himself with the Justice Party and the Self Respect Movement, which opposed the dominance of Brahmins in social life, especially the bureaucracy.
- Redefined Tamil Identity: He redefined Tamil identity as egalitarian and untainted by the caste system, contrasting it with the Indian identity promoted by the Congress.
- He argued that caste was introduced to the Tamil region by Aryan Brahmins from Northern India.
- He is known as the ‘Father of the Dravidian movement’
- Self Respect Movement: The Self-Respect Movement was a significant social reform movement that originated in Tamil Nadu, South India, in 1925.
- The movement aimed to promote social equality and eradicate the caste system, which was deeply entrenched in Indian society.
- Opposition to Hindi Imposition (1930s): Periyar opposed the imposition of Hindi by the Congress Ministry, paralleling it with the Aryanisation process and viewing it as an attack on Tamil identity and self-respect.
- Under his leadership, the Dravidian Movement evolved into a struggle against caste and an assertion of Tamil national identity.
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- Dravidar Kazhagam: In 1939, Ramasamy became the head of the Justice Party, and in 1944, he changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam, advocating for an independent Dravida Nadu for Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada speakers.
- He based his idea of Dravida national identity on the Dravidian linguistic family.
- The party later split with one group led by C. N. Annadurai formed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949.
- Promotion of Rationalism: Periyar advocated for rational decision-making in life. He championed women’s independence, arguing they should not be confined to childbearing but should have equal employment opportunities.
- Challenge to Caste System: Periyar urged people to drop caste suffixes from their names and avoid mentioning caste. He also introduced inter-dining practices with food prepared by Dalits at public conferences in the 1930s.
October 5, 2024
