IGNOUMATIC

E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, popularly known as Periyar, was a prominent social reformer, politician, and ideologue in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. His contributions to the Dravidian movement and the larger social reform landscape of India were profound and continue to shape the region’s political and social discourse today. Periyar was a vocal critic of the caste system, Brahmanical orthodoxy, and the social and political dominance of the Hindu upper castes, which he saw as oppressive to the non-Brahmin and lower castes, particularly the Dravidians (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam-speaking people of South India).

This essay critically evaluates Periyar’s contributions to the Dravidian movement, focusing on his role in challenging caste hierarchies, promoting rationalism, advocating for women’s rights, and pushing for the political empowerment of non-Brahmins. While Periyar’s ideas and actions were revolutionary in many respects, they were also controversial and have had both positive and negative implications for the politics and society of Tamil Nadu.

1. Challenging Caste Hierarchy and Brahmanical Dominance

Periyar’s most significant contribution to the Dravidian movement was his staunch opposition to the caste system, particularly the Brahmanical social order that had dominated Hindu society for centuries. He believed that the caste system, with its rigid hierarchies and oppressive practices, was a primary source of social inequality and backwardness in India. According to Periyar, the upper castes, particularly Brahmins, had constructed a social order that perpetuated their own dominance while subjugating the lower castes.

In his public speeches and writings, Periyar often denounced the idea of caste-based superiority, arguing that it was not a divine or natural order but a social construct designed to maintain the power of the Brahminical elites. He called for the abolition of the caste system, the rejection of Hindu rituals, and the establishment of a more egalitarian society based on reason, logic, and social justice. His famous slogan, “There is no God, there is no religion,” was a direct challenge to the religious orthodoxy that he believed perpetuated caste oppression.

Periyar’s advocacy for the rights of lower-caste people, particularly the Dalits, and his critique of Brahmanical dominance laid the foundation for the Dravidian movement’s broader social reform agenda. His work helped to inspire the anti-caste movements in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India, including the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the context of the Dalit struggle.

2. Promotion of Rationalism and Self-Respect Movement

Periyar’s ideas on rationalism were also a critical component of the Dravidian movement. He was a strong advocate of scientific reasoning, skepticism towards religious dogma, and the promotion of rational thought. His rejection of superstition, blind faith, and ritualism was deeply tied to his goal of empowering people to think independently and question the status quo.

In 1925, Periyar founded the Self-Respect Movement, which aimed to promote social justice and equality, particularly for the marginalized non-Brahmin castes. The movement focused on the idea of self-respect, which Periyar defined as the right of every individual, irrespective of their caste, to live with dignity, self-worth, and independence. The movement called for the abolition of untouchability, the elimination of social and religious hierarchies, and the promotion of education and economic self-sufficiency for non-Brahmins.

The Self-Respect Movement also aimed to eradicate the social stigma attached to inter-caste marriages and widow remarriage, two of the most significant social issues that perpetuated caste-based discrimination. Periyar was an outspoken critic of child marriage and the mistreatment of women in traditional Hindu society. By promoting self-respect, Periyar hoped to build a more egalitarian social order in which all people, regardless of caste, would have the right to live free from social degradation and discrimination.

3. Advocacy for Women’s Rights

Periyar’s contributions to the women’s rights movement in Tamil Nadu were radical for his time. He was a fierce advocate of gender equality, a stance that placed him at odds with many traditionalists within Indian society. Periyar believed that women were not only victims of the caste system but were also oppressed by patriarchal norms that treated them as inferior to men.

Periyar’s views on women’s rights were deeply connected to his larger critique of religion and social structures. He believed that Hinduism, with its rituals, beliefs, and practices, reinforced the subjugation of women. In particular, he criticized the caste system for its detrimental impact on women, particularly those in lower castes, who faced double oppression — both as members of lower castes and as women in a patriarchal society.

Periyar’s movement for women’s rights included advocating for the abolition of dowry, child marriage, and the mistreatment of widows. He also promoted widow remarriage, a progressive idea in a society that had often condemned widows to social ostracism. Periyar’s support for women’s education and economic independence was groundbreaking, and his ideas on women’s emancipation were incorporated into the broader goals of the Dravidian movement.

4. Political Contributions and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)

Periyar’s ideas and leadership led to the establishment of the Dravida Kazhagam (DK) in 1944, which was later transformed into the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) by his followers, notably C.N. Annadurai, who went on to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The DMK became the political arm of the Dravidian movement, and Periyar’s influence on its ideology and policies was profound.

The DMK’s political platform, which emphasized social justice, secularism, and the empowerment of non-Brahmins, was directly inspired by Periyar’s vision. Under the leadership of Annadurai and other subsequent leaders, the DMK played a significant role in challenging the dominance of the Congress Party in Tamil Nadu and advocating for policies that promoted the welfare of backward classes, including affirmative action measures for Dalits and OBCs (Other Backward Classes).

In addition, the Dravidian movement under Periyar’s influence pushed for the recognition of Tamil as the official language of Tamil Nadu and opposed the imposition of Hindi, which was seen as a form of cultural hegemony by the North Indian elite. Periyar’s emphasis on Tamil identity and culture was a key part of the movement’s demand for greater autonomy and self-determination for the Dravidian people.

5. Criticisms and Controversies

While Periyar’s contributions to social reform were undoubtedly groundbreaking, his ideas also attracted significant criticism. Some critics argue that his vehement opposition to Hinduism and his secular stance alienated a large section of the Tamil population, particularly those who remained deeply religious. His rejection of Hinduism and the promotion of atheism were seen by some as too radical and divisive, undermining the broader social unity that he sought to build.

Additionally, Periyar’s emphasis on Dravidian identity and the rejection of the Brahmanical social order led to accusations of regionalism and divisiveness. Critics from other parts of India have often pointed to Periyar’s ideas as contributing to the widening of the gulf between the Dravidian people and the rest of India, especially in relation to the linguistic and cultural movements in Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion

In conclusion, E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, or Periyar, made substantial contributions to the Dravidian movement and the social reform movement in South India. His relentless opposition to the caste system, advocacy for rationalism and women’s rights, and promotion of Dravidian identity have left a lasting legacy on Tamil Nadu’s social and political landscape. Periyar’s leadership in shaping the Dravidian movement laid the foundation for many of the progressive policies that have since been implemented in the state. While his views and methods were controversial, his influence remains crucial in the ongoing struggle for social justice, equality, and political empowerment of marginalized communities in South India.