Rettamalai Srinivasan and the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha

The question asks about the founder of the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha in 1893. This organization played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Adi Dravida community, who were historically marginalized.

Among the given options, Rettamalai Srinivasan is the correct individual who founded the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha.

Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha's Founding and Purpose

• The Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha was established in the year 1893.
• It was founded by Rettamalai Srinivasan, a prominent social reformer and leader from the depressed classes in colonial Madras Presidency (present-day Tamil Nadu).
• The primary objective of the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha was to address the social, economic, and political discrimination faced by the Adi Dravida people, who were then known as 'Paraiyars' or 'Panchamas'.
• The Sabha aimed to improve their living conditions, promote education, and secure their political representation and rights.
• Through the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha, Rettamalai Srinivasan worked tirelessly to raise awareness about their plight and to demand equality and justice from the British colonial government and upper-caste society.

Legacy of Rettamalai Srinivasan

Rettamalai Srinivasan's contributions extended beyond the founding of the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha. He was a pioneer in the movement for the upliftment of the depressed classes.

• He was one of the two representatives of the depressed classes at the First and Second Round Table Conferences held in London in the early 1930s, alongside Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. This participation was crucial for voicing the concerns of the marginalized communities on a national and international platform.
• His efforts laid a strong foundation for future social justice movements in Tamil Nadu and India.
• The Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha under his leadership became a significant voice for the politically and socially deprived, pushing for reforms and recognition.

Therefore, it is clear that Rettamalai Srinivasan was the visionary leader behind the establishment of the Adi Dravida Mahajana Sabha in 1893, marking a significant step in the social reform and political awakening of the Adi Dravida community.