Question

Attempt Periyar's views on Equality

Answer 1

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy  (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), commonly known as Periyar, also referred to as Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social activist, and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam. He is known as the 'Father of modern Tamilnadu'. He has done exemplary works against Brahminical dominance, caste prevalence and women oppression in Tamilnadu.

Thanthai Periyar


E. V. Ramasamy

Born17 September 1879

Erode, Madras Presidency, British India (now in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India)

Died24 December 1973(aged 94)

Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Other namesE.V.R., Vaikom Veerar, Venthaadi VenthanOccupationActivist, politician, social reformistPolitical partyIndian National Congress
Justice Party
Founder of Dravidar KazhagamMovementSelf-Respect Movement, Dravidian NationalismSpouse(s)Nagammai (died in 1933), Maniammai(1948- 1973)AwardsUNESCO (1970)

E.V. Ramasamy joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925 when he felt that the party was only serving the interests of Brahmins. He questioned the subjugation of non-Brahmin Dravidians as Brahmins enjoyed gifts and donations from non-Brahmins but opposed and discriminated non-Brahmins in cultural and religious matters.[5][6] In 1924, E.V. Ramasamy participated in a non-violent agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikom, Kerala. From 1929 to 1932 Ramasamy made a tour of British Malaya, Europe, and Russia which influenced him.[how?][7] In 1939, E.V. Ramasamy became the head of the Justice Party,[] and in 1944, he changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam.[9]The party later split with one group led by C. N. Annadurai forming the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949.While continuing the Self-Respect Movement, he advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu (land of the Dravidians).

E.V. Ramasamy promoted the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights and eradication of caste. He opposed the exploitation and marginalisation of the non-Brahmin Dravidian people of South India and the imposition of what he considered Indo-Aryan India.