100 years of the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu

HISTORY – MODERN

8 SEPTEMBER 2025

• In 2025, Tamil Nadu marks 100 years of the Self-Respect Movement.
• The Self-Respect Movement was launched in 1925 by E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) in Tamil Nadu.
• Its main aim was to establish an egalitarian society based on self-respect, equality, and rationalism, free from the dominance of caste and religion.
• The movement strongly opposed Brahminical dominance, social inequality, and gender discrimination.
• Periyar promoted inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and the abolition of child marriage, which were revolutionary steps in the 1920s.
• The movement encouraged rationalist thinking and questioned blind faith, superstition, and the authority of religion.
• It sought to give non-Brahmin communities political representation and social dignity, challenging the caste hierarchy in Tamil society.
• The Self-Respect Movement became closely linked with the Dravidian Movement, which later gave rise to influential political parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).