The Self Respect Movement was founded in 1925 by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (also known as Periyar), a Balija Naidu. The movement's goal was to reject the brahmanical religion and culture, which Naicker saw as the primary tool of exploitation of the lower castes. It was an egalitarian movement that advocated for the abolition of Brahminical hegemony, equal rights for backward classes and women in society, and the revitalization of Dravidian languages such as Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Depressed castes organized numerous satyagraha movements across India to protest the ban on their entry into temples and other such restrictions. This article will discuss the Self Respect Movement, its objectives, and the impact it left behind.

What is the Self Respect Movement?

• S. Ramanathan invited E.V. Ramaswamy to start this movement in Tamil Nadu, where it was very influential, in 1925.
• The Self Respect Movement, also known as the Dravidian Movement, advocated for equal rights for the backward castes, with a focus on women's rights.
• Most importantly, as the movement's leaders stated, the movement fought for people of the lower castes to have "self-respect" in society.
• The Self-Respect Movement was a dynamic social movement aimed at completely destroying the contemporary Hindu social order and establishing a new, rational society free of caste, religion, and god.
• Inspired by the emphasis on self-respect in Tamil literature – known as tan-maanam or suya mariyadai – Ramanathan and Periyar Ramaswamy sought to advance the philosophy that developing self-respect in individuals will end caste discrimination.
• Annai Meenanmbal and Veeramal were two of the movement's female leaders.

Self Respect Movement - Objectives

The three main objectives advocated by this movement were the dissolution of Brahminical rule, equal chances for the weaker sections and women in the workplace, and the resurrection of the Dravidian languages, which included Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil.

The propounders of the movement outlined the objectives in two pamphlets “Namathu Kurikkol” and “Tiravitakkalaka Lateiyam”. The following were the major objectives of the movement:

• To build a society in which backward castes have the same basic civil rights as higher castes.
• To work towards providing equal possibilities for growth and development should to all persons.
• Complete eradication of untouchability and establishment of a just and harmonious society.
• It aimed at a social transformation after which friendship and a sense of belonging comes naturally to everyone.
• To provide shelter for the destitute, orphans, and widows and to establish schools and colleges.
• To deter people from constructing additional temples, mutts, chlorites, or Vedic schools. The movement wanted to discourage people from using their caste names in their names, and other similar practices that were blindly followed.

Self Respect Movement - Significance

• Following E.V.R.'s never-ending anti-orthodoxy campaign, the Brahmins' monopoly of power and influence was gradually eroded.
• People were energized with the feeling of self-respect and, above all, self-confidence, as it prepared to confront societal injustice perpetuated by the Brahmins.
• It resulted in 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.

Contemporary Relevance of Self Respect Movement

• Periyar came up with the idea of forming a self-respect movement as a means of achieving his goal of freeing society from some of the harmful social practices that go by the names of dharma and karma.
• The Self-Respect Movement has grown into a prominent anti-caste movement that has questioned India's social system.
• Inter-caste marriages, as well as women's physical autonomy, were highlighted by the movement.
• The feminist movement fought for a society where women could choose their own sexual, reproductive, and physical decisions. The campaign was a breakthrough moment for feminism in India.
  • It placed a high priority on ensuring that women had access to permanent birth control as well as contraception.
• One of the major societal revolutions brought about by the self-respect movement was the Self-Respect Marriage System.

Conclusion

Indian societies have historically been dominated by Brahminical ideologies and people have been under continuous oppression. Various incidents and movements have occurred in the past to counteract this domination. The Self Respect Movement is one of the movements that resisted Brahmin dominance in Indian society. The fact remains that the Self-Respect Movement's strong ideals and demands paved the way for true democracy.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who was the founder of the Self-Respect Movement?

A. B.R. Ambedkar
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. E.V. Ramasamy Periyar
D. Jawaharlal Nehru

2. What was the key feature of Self-Respect Marriages?

A. Performed by Brahmin priests
B. No religious ceremonies or priests
C. Conducted in temples
D. Based on Hindu scriptures

3. The Self-Respect Movement led to the rise of which political party?

A. Indian National Congress
B. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
C. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
D. Communist Party of India (CPI)

4. Which language did the Self-Respect Movement promote?

A. Hindi
B. Sanskrit
C. Tamil
D. Telugu

5. Which of the following was opposed by the Self-Respect Movement?

A. Dowry system
B. Caste system
C. Religious orthodoxy
D. All of the above

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Self-Respect Movement in challenging the caste hierarchy in Tamil Nadu.

Answer: The Self-Respect Movement was significant in challenging the deeply entrenched caste hierarchy in Tamil Nadu. By advocating for the abolition of the Brahminical order and promoting non-Brahmin empowerment, the movement empowered the lower castes to demand social, political, and economic equality. The movement emphasized rationalism and self-respect, encouraging people to reject caste-based rituals and practices. The promotion of Self-Respect Marriages was a direct challenge to the Brahminical control over religious ceremonies. The movement also laid the foundation for Dravidian politics, which has continued to play a dominant role in Tamil Nadu’s socio-political landscape.

Q2: Evaluate the impact of the Self-Respect Movement on the women's rights movement in Tamil Nadu.

Answer: The Self-Respect Movement had a profound impact on the women’s rights movement in Tamil Nadu. Periyar’s advocacy for gender equality included the promotion of women’s education, the abolition of child marriage, and the fight against the dowry system. The movement’s support for Self-Respect Marriages, which did not require religious ceremonies, was a significant step toward empowering women, allowing them greater autonomy in marriage and challenging patriarchal norms. By advocating for equal rights for women in all aspects of life, the movement contributed to the social and economic mobility of women, particularly from marginalized communities.

Q3: Analyze the role of the Self-Respect Movement in the rise of Dravidian politics.

Answer: The Self-Respect Movement played a crucial role in the rise of Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu. By promoting the idea of a distinct Dravidian identity, the movement challenged the dominance of Aryan Brahmins and called for political and social empowerment of the non-Brahmin communities. This led to the formation of political parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which continues to influence Tamil Nadu politics. The movement’s emphasis on social justice, rationalism, and linguistic pride resonated with the masses and laid the foundation for a new political discourse centered around anti-Brahminism, secularism, and regional autonomy.

Previous Year Questions on the Self-Respect Movement

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Who among the following founded the Self-Respect Movement?
A. B.R. Ambedkar
B. Periyar E.V. Ramasamy
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Subhas Chandra Bose

Answer: B

Explanation: Periyar E.V. Ramasamy founded the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 to promote social equality and rationalism, particularly in Tamil Nadu.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Evaluate the role of the Self-Respect Movement in promoting social justice in Tamil Nadu.

Answer: The Self-Respect Movement played a pivotal role in promoting social justice in Tamil Nadu by challenging the Brahminical caste order and advocating for the rights of the non-Brahmin communities. The movement emphasized rationalism, equality, and self-respect, encouraging people to reject caste-based discrimination and religious orthodoxy. It promoted Self-Respect Marriages, opposed the dowry system, and advocated for women’s rights. By fostering a sense of Dravidian identity and empowering marginalized groups, the movement laid the foundation for Dravidian political parties and a long-lasting impact on the social fabric of Tamil Nadu.