Self-Respect Movement (1925)

Self-Respect Movement (1925)
* Founded by E.V. Ramasamy “Periyar”
* Origin: Tamil Nadu (Madras Presidency)
* Nature: Social reform, anti-caste, rationalist movement

Objectives
* End caste hierarchy and Brahminical domination
* Promote rationalism and scientific thinking
* Ensure women’s equality and freedom
* Restore dignity and self-respect to lower castes
* Promote Dravidian cultural identity

Key Features
* Campaign against untouchability and caste discrimination
* Self-Respect Marriages without priests or rituals
* Critique of religious texts supporting caste
* Encouragement of inter-caste dining and marriages
* Educational and political awareness among backward classes
* Opposition to child marriage and support for widow remarriage

Women’s Empowerment
* Advocacy for women’s education
* Promotion of women’s property rights
* Encouragement of contraception and reproductive choice

Impact
* Strengthened non-Brahmin political mobilization
* Rise of Dravidian parties like DK, DMK, and later AIADMK
* Social reforms in Tamil Nadu, especially marriage and inheritance
* Spread of rationalist values and anti-caste consciousness
* Influenced reservation policies for backward classes