THANTHAI PERIYAR

Life and Service

R. RATHINAGIRI
The fruit that ripened in service
His silvery beard falls on his broad chest
The world worships his wisdom's spring
In the cave of his mind the leopard leaps
He is - Periyar, the great
- Revolutionary Poet. Bharathidasan
 CHAPTER - I

Fundamental Principles
Thanthai Periyar was a unique humanist of the twentieth
century. His life and services irradiate, like the sunrays for the
society that suffered severely from the darkness of ignorance,
Ignominy and segragation.

Great leaders were born in India to safeguard the people

from these maladies ahlicting the society. Among them Thanthai
Periyar was one who made strong inprints on the history of
mankind. His principles are very lofty, veracious but not self-
seeking. They had Universal applicability and a telling curative
power on the societal ills viz ignorance and poverty.

Therefore, the women of Tamilnadu Convened a

conference in Chennai (Madras), on 13th November 1938,
passed a resolution and conferred on him the reverential title
‘Periyar’ (Meaning ‘the Great man’)

Henceforth, he was respectfully called ‘Periyar’ by the

people. This was an expression of their sense of gratitude for
the yeman service rendered by him.

Truth is Fundamental
The teachings of Periyar are contrary to most of the
conformity with the practices of the majority. Periyar insisted
that the principles and practices of human beings should be
subjected to reason. Those ideas which do not suit reason
should be jettisoned with.

He condemned God , religion, caste, rituals, meaningless

customs and baseless manners as irrational. His thoughts were
based on truth. He abhorred everything that was against truth.
There was no difference between his private and public life. He
was at the forefront of any agitation lounched by him and thereby
he proved himself to be the first man to follow his own principles.
By the result of his selfless services most of the illiterates
became literates; people who were hitherto denied job
opportunities and political power, obtained them. Periyar happily
witnessed the fulfillment of most of his aspirations and ideologies
to a great extent during his lifetime itself.

Award of the Government of India

The Government of India awarded certificates inscribed
on bronze plates to all the freedom fighters of the nation. Periyar
was also honored with similar award on 3rd October 1972 by
Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. On behalf
of the Prime Minister, Dr. M. Karunanidhi, the then Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister met Periyar at his Chennai residence and passed
on the award to him with due honour.

The teachings of Periyar are universally applicable and

they are not only meant for a particular society nor for a particular
nation, but they are essentially needed for the entire humanity.
 What are the Doctrines of Periyar?

1. The world is a single entity.

2. The people of the world belong to one family

3. The resources, the pleasures and the pains of the world,

are common to all members of the world.

4. Every one should work according to his capacity

5. Everyone should enjoy the resources according to his

needs

6. The prime concern and object of the people should be the

welfare and prosperity of humanity.

Periyar toiled throughout his life for realizing these ideals.

His doctrines are like the breath of a man. They are the guiding
principles of the family life too. They are beneficial to human
society as a whole.

Periyar desired that there should be equality in all spheres

of life ie., equitable distribution (socialism), equal possession,
equal participation in governance, equal social treatment and
equal opportunities. If all these tenets are not obtainable in a
society, they should be established at any cost.

Life and Services

Periyar’s life span spread over a period of 94 years, 3
months and 7 days, that is 34,433 days. He traveled nearly 8200
days, when there was no comfortable means of transport like
that of today. Approximately, total distance of his travel was
13,10,200 kilo meters, and he participated in 10,700
programmes.
 If all his speeches are tape recorded and broadcast, it will
run for a 21,400 hours or 2 years, 5 months and 11 days
continuously both day and night. No social thinker in the past
has ever delivered speeches for such a long period in his life
time.

That is why UNESCO, one of the wings of UNO,

commended the greatness of the selfless public service of
Thanthai Periyar in a citation which reads.

"Periyar is the Prophet of the New Age;

The Socrates of South East Asia;
The Father of the Social Reform Movement
And Arch enemy of Ignorance, Superstitions,
Meaningless Customs and Baseless Manners.
This honour was bestowed during on Periyar his lifetime
on 27th June 1970 by the UNESCO Forum at Chennai. No one
else had such an international honour except Periyar.

This book is a humble attempt to portray a portion of the

great life of Periyar.

The three qualities of a truly Great Man

A learned Tamil Scholar T.K.Chidambaranadhan attributes

three qualities required for a truly great man. They are:

1. The people of the world should have a misconceived

opinion about him.

2. His doctrines should be condemned everywhere

3. He should be harshly vilified and cursed by others. Periyar
possessed all these three qualities.

Periyar’s Greatness
He was the author of his own philosophy. He gave
elucidation and explanation for his own doctrines. He was the
spokesman of his principles; he was the writer of his own
ideology. He spearheaded the agitations launched by him and
succeeded. These agitations aimed at liberating man from the
clutches of slavery. He set his wits to work.

Without any inhibitions such as God, religion, caste, law

and nation, he delivered his message to the world as a free
thinker. He declared about himself as follows :

“I am a man of free thinking. I have free thoughts,

independent experience, independent feelings. I submit them
all before you as such.

I present my ideas to you on condition that you should

examine those ideas with your objective thought, experience,
emotions and accept those ideas which are acceptable and
reject the rest with the spirit of reasoning.

However conservative one might be, if he does not yield to

these ideas it will be unjust and unfair.

If these ideas appear true, there is no use in merely

accepting them. Make attempts to put them into practice.

It is my liberty to inform you what I realized through my

personal experience. It is also your liberty to examine and adopt
them in your life.” By saying this Periyar gave full freedom of
thought to his listene.
Human Life only for Service
No man is born by himself. Therefore he is not born only
for himself.

Human life is meant for serving the society.

Human life without service is equivalent to the life of an

animal.

Thus asserted Periyar decisively and definitely. Periyar is

a movement by himself. He constitutes an era in the history
of the Tamils.

Victory without political participation

Periyar brought about changes in the minds of the people
by making them think through his brilliant propaganda without
entering into electoral politics. The editor and compiler of the
book ‘Thoughts of periyar E.V.Ramasamy’ com. V. Anaimuthu
has portrayed Periyar’s physical appearance in the following
manner:

“Board forehead, wire like silver hairs in his head,

prominent bushy eyebrows, long curved and large nose, look
revealing his sharp intellect and dominant personality, lips with
endearing smile, gums stronger than the teeth, moustache
pricking the lips, wide and folded ears, broad chins, pure white
beard, hump like nape, shoulders resembling a hill, extensive
chest, bulging belly, tough waist, hanging hernia with mass of
flesh, tottering legs unable to bear the weight of the body”.

The fierce battle of the Tiger

With such an appearance this intellectual was wearing
improvised urine bladder between his thighs, he would rest on
the shoulders of his assistants on either side. Gripping their
hands to get into the van and to get down from it. He would
groan in order to rise from and sit on the platform. Unmindful of
such an ailing physical condition he would address public
meetings like a hero brandishing his sword. His resounding voice
would resemble the roar of a lion. The Tamils listened to him
day and night throughout the year and trod on the path shown
by him.

The Bloodless Revolution

Many of his achievements were the result of his heroic
addresses, logical writings and agitations without turbulence.

All those who wanted to revolutionize the society in the

past achieved it only through bloodshed. But it was only periyar
who put an end to the 2000 year old slavery through a silent
revolution. His followers toiled for 50 long years without sword
and blood. Periyar made such a uniq ue revolution without
capturing political power.

Doctors’ reception
The students of a Medical College arranged a function to
accord a reception to Periyar. Speaking on that occasion he
remarked:

“People call me an atheist because of my negation of God.

My propaganda is only oral. But you, doctors are, more radically
atheistic than I am. In what way? By curing the diseases and
discomforts of the people which are believed to have been
caused by God as a reward to their good or bad ; sinful or virtuous
deeds of; in the previous birth, you are able to prove that there
is no god. If cholera which is caused by giving oil by Goddess
Kali disappears due to your medical treatment and smallpox
which is considered as pearls, offered by Goddess Mari runs
away because of your inoculation, you are aggressive atheists”.

Regarding the increase of man's longevity Periyar

asserted thus “If at all man’s average age has increased from
25 to 45, is it not because of you – the scientists – who have
invented not only medicines but also methods of treatment?

Enmity towards God

“Even, offering food to a poor man would be an act of
atheism because when God starves a man for his “Karma”
feeding him, goes against the will of God”.

“If the ups and downs in the society are of God’s will making
them equal is inimical to God. “If the growth of hair on man’s
face and head is considered as the act of God shaving the hair
is against his will”.

Periyar’s people – forums

Periyar did not enjoy support from the intelligentia, the
aristocrats, the rich and the dignitaries for his rational dictum
namely “forget god; think of man”. Periyar relied only upon the
commoners. His journals Kudi Arasu (Republic) Viduthalai
(Liberation) were widely read in places like hair cutting saloons,
tea stalls, laundaries, cycle shops where the commoners get
togetther, They served as vantage points where his principles
were enthusiastically read, discussed and adopted. They
eliminated the 2000 year-old Brahmin dominance which brought
forth a great social change.
Women’s right, rule and authority
Due to the tireless efforts of Periyar the womenfolk received
a welcome boost in their lives. As a result women obtained equal
chances to enter educational institutions, proportional
employment opportunities and even property rights. They
entered public life and got reservation of seats in local
administration. In the elections held for local administration and
co-operative societies in 1996, nearly 50,000 women were
elected members of the corporations, municipalities, major
panchayats, village panchayats and co-operative societies.
Some of them became chairpersons and directors in various
units. This victory of women as directors in various units is so
praiseworthy as it has not been achieved in any other State in
India.

A Great Social Revolution

American Prof. John Raihly an American historian of
international repute has pointed out that a great social revolution
had taken place only in Tamil Nadu. But it had not occurred
anywhere in India during the last 2000 years. It was Periyar, the
leader of the Dravidar kazhagam who engineered that revolution.
 CHAPTER - II

CHILDHOOD
Periyar was born on 17th September 1879 at Erode, a
Municipal town in Tamilnadu. His father was famous merchant
by name Venkitta Naicker and his mother was
Chinnathayammai.

He was the second son to his parents. He was named

Ramasami. His elder brother was Krishnasami. The first son
young Krishnasami was once seriously ill. His parents vowed
that if their first son recovered from his illness they would
dedicate the second son to god. The first son recovered. The
second son Ramasami was given in adoption to the younger
mother of his father. He grew up independently without parental
strictness and control.

Young Ramasami
Young Ramasami was admitted into a pyol school at his
6th year. He did not go to school regularly. The days that he was
beaten-up by the teachers were more in number than the days
he actually attended school. He used to thrash the fellow
students driven by his mischievous nature. His teacher used to
award him imposition to write thousand times stating, "Hereafter
I will not beat other children."
 While sending him to school his parents advised not to
drink water from the house of the unsociable castes living near
the school. If at all he was very thirsty he should take water
only from his teacher’s house. Ramasami did not know how to
drink water by keeping the tumbler little away from the lips. One
day while drinking water at his teacher’s house he could not
hold the tumbler in proper position. Consequently water ran into
his nose and also spilled over his body making him cough and
spit out the water. The people at his teacher’s house felt it
nasty. This impelled Ramasami to move freely with the students
of unsociable castes and to take water and food from their
houses thereby he disregarded all the norms of unsociability.
Without the direct supervision and control of his parents he was
growing rough-and-tumble.

Chained ankles
In order to tame him, his parents used to place chained
block of wood on his ankles. Even with that block, Ramasami
loitered with the unsociable children. At one time he was playing
for 15 days with the chained block carrying it on his shoulders.
His roughness remained unabated.

Theory of Destiny or ‘Karma’

Even the age of twelve Ramasami started arguing against
the theory of karma. He asserted. “To believe that everything
will occur according to fate is a sheer foolishness. We are solely
responsible for our own good and bad”.

In the market street at Erode, one Ramanatha Iyer was

running a shop. Ramasami used to pass by that shop every
day. Ramanatha Iyer who was believer in the doctrine of karma
Ramasami asked him whether he would accept everything that
happened was due to fate. Iyer replied in the affirmative.

There was a plaited bamboo lattice in front of his shop

supported by a bamboo poll at the centre. Ramasami pulled
down the poll suddenly. The lattice fell on Iyer’s head and caused
bleeding. Iyer chased Ramasami to beat him, Ramasami said
to him, “It is your fate to get injured to-day. Why should you
chase me to beat”. This made Iyer to doubt his belief on fate.

Shop Assistant
School education did not tame Ramasami. As his
toughness increased day by day, he was stopped from attending
school. Thereafter, his father put him as an assistant in his
wholesale shop with a view to make use of his cuteness

As he was employed in the shop, his parents decided to

get him married. They were on the lookout for a bride from a
rich family.

Love marriage
Nagammai was the daughter of his maternal uncle. As his
parents were poor, they had consented to offer their daughter
to a rich old man as his third wife.

Having come to know of this news Ramasami fought with

his parents for his marriage with her. Much against the will of
his father he married 13 year old Nagammai when he was just
19.

A daughter was born to them and expired a little later. There

was no offspring for them thereafter. Yet they led a very happy
life.
The custom and usage of those days
There were worst forms of social hierarchical ups and
downs throughout the country .

The people were divided into hundreds of castes and kept

apart. Almost all members of the working communities were
oppressed as untouchables.

1. The socalled untouchables should not walk along the

streets where other caste people live.

2. They should not wear dothi covering their kness

3. They should not put on foot-wear.

4. They should not carry umbrella

5. They should not wear upper garments or

‘ angavastras’

6. Ladies should not wear blouses

7. They should carry water only in mud pots.

8. They should not use metal vessels

9. They should work as slaves

10.They should not own lands

11.They should not carry out tenancy cultivation

12.They should not ride a horse in any procession

13.They should not get drums played during their

marriages

14.They should not travel in vehicles

 15.They should not take water from the public well
or on tank

16.They should carry dead bodies to their separate

grave yards only through the earmarked paths

17. Even in court they should stand apart at a

specified distance to give witness.

18. They were not permitted to enter the temple

19. They could worship only the temple towards from

a distant place

20. There was no place for them in the school

21. They could not travel in buses

22. They could not attend public functions or dramas

23. The huts of the working class were located only

at the outer fringes of the villages

24. The dwellers were called Cheri people

Ramasami’s mind was filled with anger and fury on seeing

these discriminations. He felt all these taboos such as
unsociability, unapproachability and denial of entry into the
temples based on birth were a great injustice done to humanity.
He wanted those sastras which created these taboos to be
destroyed. If the laws permit such inequality they should be done
away with. If it is an outcome of religious injunctions they should
also be eradicated.

He desired that everyone should have equal rights. This

idea of equality which sprouted in his mind, assumed greater
Sharing the profit
In 1902 he proved himself a successful business man
noted for honesty and trustworthiness. He earned huge profit in
business due to his immense involvement. In those days the
profit in the business went entirely to the owner of the business
and the labourers were paid wages alone. Ramasami wanted
to change this condition. He distributed a share of the profit to
all the workers employed in his wholesale shop.

Samabandhi bojanam (Inter Caste – dining)

In order to remove the caste difference, he collected money
from all the shop keepers of the market street and he conducted
Samabandhi Bojanam (Inter Caste –dining) in which people of
all castes and religions participated. This was followed by cultural
programmes, songs and dances. Thereby he helped to reduce
caste differences and contributed to their disappearance to a
great extent.

Intercaste marriage
In those days, endogamy was quite common and exogamy
was very strange. At this juncture he conducted an inter-caste
marriage between a Naidu bridge-groom, an employee of his
shop and a Vellala bride Though this was initially a small step it
became a giant leap towards caste eradication later on.

Widow re-marriage
In those days if a woman lost her husband she had no
chance of re-marriage. She had to lament throughout her life
and die in anguish. In such social conditions he conducted the
re-marriage of his widowed niece surmounting the serious
I will utter only the truth
In his 24th year he forged his father’s signature in the
accounting process of the business. In practice, this was not
considered a serious act, yet it was a crime for which he was
sued for forgery.

In the court of law he confessed his guilt without hiding the

fact. The honorable judge realized Ramasami’s candid nature,
set aside the case and acquitted him.

Leaving the home

At the age of twenty five he borrowed money from his friend
and purchased twenty six acres of land at Erode in his father’s
name. Venkitta Naicker did not approve of it. He felt that borrowing
from someone was a damage to the dignity of the family and
reprehended him. Ramasami got angry with his father, and left
home for North India.

Experiences in North India

In North India, he attired himself as an ascetic and received
alms as a beggar. He wandered over places like Elur,
Vijayawada, Puri, Kasi (Varanasi) Calcutta etc.

There he witnessed the selfish, exploitative and the

deceptive nature of the Brahmin prohits who amassed wealth
through foul means.

This reated in him a feeling of contempt against the prohits.

Meanwhile his father, traced him and brought him back to Erode.
Then,The charge of running the shop was entrusted to
Ramasami.
Rescue operation during plague
At Erode a devastating plague broke out and many people
died of this cruel disease. It is an ironically victims of this disease
were deserted even by their relatives. But Ramasami came
forward with fortitude and engaged himself in rescue operations.
He helped the diseased with medicines and involved himself in
clearing the dead bodies. He also acted as a pallbearer to burn
them in the graveyard.
 CHAPTER - III

ASSOCIATION WITH CONGRESS

The Congress movement launched so many agitations
against the British rule in the year 1907. It is true that Ramasami
was attracted by those agitations. Thenceforth he attended the
Congress Conferences held in various provinces all over India
along with his friends.

President of the Devasthana Committee

Even from his early days Ramasami was an atheist. He
abhorred idol worship. He considered the temples and their
festivals as a sheer waste. But, he had to serve as the President
of the temple committee as a hereditary honour. Realizing his
responsibility, as President he saw to it that all the Pujas in the
temple were carried on periodically. He renovated many temples.

He safeguarded the properties of the temple against

misappropriation. Before his assumption of office as the
President, the devasthanam was in debt. He completed so many
renovative works. In spite of it he saved a large sum for the
temple.

Honorary Posts
Because of his selfless service Ramasami was elected
the Vice-President of Erode Taluk Board. He was Honorary
six honorary posts in Erode such a member of the District Board,
the Secretary of various institutions and committees such as
Reading Room, Mahajana School, Tennis club, Advisor on
Income-Tax, Peace Committee and War fund.

The Municipal Chairman of Erode

In 1917 Ramasami became the Chairman of the
Municipality of Erode. From then onwards he was respectfully
called E.V.R by almost all. He administered the Erode
Municipality without any nepotism.

Removal of encroachments of roads

The bazaar road of Erode was narrow and very congested
which obstructed not only the vehicular traffic but also the
movement of the people. If the market street was to be widened
even terraced buildings had to be demolished. Whoever might
become his enemy or whatever be the opposition, E.V.R.
determined to remove the encroachments in the interest of the
public.

He widened the market street by removing the

encroachments and by demolishing big buildings. Even now
he is commended by the people of Erode for this great service.

Over-head tank
In those days there was a feeling among the people that
even the water pipe line, which passed through the street of a
particular caste was considered polluted.

Periyar was the pioneer of the scheme of distributing

drinking water through pipeline by constructing an overhead tank
at Erode.
 At the inaugural function many of the Municipal Chairmen
of the Presidency participated and acclaimed E.V.R. for this
praiseworthy task.

The Title of Rao Sahib

Sir Paravasthu Rajagopalachari, an officer of the British
Government came to Erode and inspected all the progressive
works carried out by E.V.R.as Chairman of the Municipality and
recommended his name for the award of the title of Rao Sahib.
At that time Rajaji was the Chairman of Salem Municipality.
The Congress party launched many agitations against the British
rule. E.V.R. was drawn closer to the Congress Party with the
hope that it would dedicate itself for social reform, accept
communal reservation and give proportional representation for
nonbrahmin communities in Government service.
Resignation of all Honorary Posts
E.V.R. firmly believed that unless the Britishers were driven
out of India, the Indian people could not become prosperous.
He made up his mind to work for the congress party inorder to
achieve his opjectives. He considered all the posts which he
held under the British rule as impediments to go ahead with his
tasks.

Therefore, he resigned all his twenty eight honorary posts

which included such prestigious posts as Honorary Magistrate
and the President of Devasthana Committee etc. He resigned
from his position as the Chairman of the Erode Municipality and
all other posts at one stroke.

Khadi Sales
E.V.R. was leading a luxurious life in a big mansion. He
was living like a monarch with chariot rides, silk shirts, glittering
clothes, ornaments, delicious foods and with many other
comforts. After joining the Congress he began to lead a life of
simplicity. He renounced all the pleasures of a luxurious life,
avoided silk clothes and ornaments. Instead he clad himself in
coarse khadi.

He persuaded his 80 year old mother Chinnathayammai,

sister Kannammai and wife Nagammai to wear Khadi. He
started spinning Khadar yarn with the help of thakli ( a kind of
spindle) and spinning wheel like Gandhi. He carried bundles of
Khadi cloths on his head to many villages and sold them. He
inaugurated the Khadi Ashram at Thiruchengodu.
Prohibition Propaganda

E.V.R.engaged himself in the prohibition propaganda very

actively. Mahatma Gandhi called upon the people to fell the palm
tress from which toddy was tapped. Responding to his call,
many date palm trees were cut down in different places in North
India. But it was only E.V.R. who cut down 500 coconut trees in
his own grove at Thadampatti near Salem.

The Amritsar Congress Conference

E.V.R. even in his 40th year dedicated himself with all his
energy to the work of the Congress Party. In 1919 the all India
Congress Conference was held at Amritsar. E.V.R and Rajaji
went to Amritsar with a large band of supporters.

They were agonized on hearing the sorrowful tales of the

massacre of Jallianwala Bagh perpetrated by the British
Government. They grew wild with anger on seeing the sight of
massacre. Soon after his return to Tamil Nadu, he intensified
his activities in the Congress movement.
Public services led to personal losses
As he worked very hard for the growth of the Congress
Party he was not able to devote adequate attention to his
personal business and industries properly. Consequently in
1920, he had to close his traditional business which was fetching
him nearly Rs.20,000 per year. He also closed down his cotton
mill which was running on profit.

Congress rejected Communal Reservation

The Brahmins had grabbed almost all the job opportunities
in Tamilnadu. The majority of the Nonbrahmins were not given
any educational oppurtunities. Therefore E.V.R. pleaded for
employment opportunity to the eligible Nonbrahmins according
to their numerical strength in the society.

At that juncture during 1921 a Provincial Congress

Conference was convened at Tirunelveli. E.V.R. moved a
resolution in that conference demanding communal reservation
of jobs for the Nonbrahmins. All the upper caste people joined
together and rejected this resolution.

Picketing toddy shops

E.V.R. propagated that drinking of toddy was harmful to
the people. He wanted to intensify his propaganda against it.
He presided over picketing the toddy shops at Erode for which
he was arrested and awarded a month’s imprisonment. He was
taken to Coimbatore prison with handcuffs on.

Family members in picketing

Following E.V.R his wife Nagammai, sister Kannammai
and thousands of people indulged in picketing the toddy shops.
They violated the ban order promulgated under section 144 of
the Indian Penal Code.

They were arrested and imprisoned. Thus E.V.R. not only

involved himself but also persuaded the female members of
his family. Thus, he set himself an example to other India leaders.

In the Bombay Congress Conference, Mahatma Gandhi

was requested by the Congressmen to give up picketing the
toddy shop. Gandhi pointed out that stopping the picketing was
not in his hands but it was to be decided by the two women of
Erode and that they should be requested, thereby he actually
denoted Nagammai and Kannammai.

Boycott of courts
In the year 1920, the congress had announced the boycott
of the courts as one of the action plans of the Non-co-Operation
Movement in the year 1920.

E.V.R.gave up the idea of filing a suit to realize the business

outstanding to the tune of Rs.50,000 including a pronote for an
amount of Rs.28,000. Vijayaragavachariar of Salem, a Congress
co-worker gave a suggestion. If E.V.R. made it over to him he
would realize the amount and remit it to the Swarajya Fund
raised by Tilak.

The suggestion was rejected by E.V.R. as it would

undermine the call for boycott of courts made by the Congress.
As a result he suffered a loss of Rs.50,000.

Propagation of Hindi
E.V.R. owned a building near the memorial of his father at
Erode where he started a centre to propagate Hindi and made
arrangement for the instruction of that language. Motilal Nehru
inaugurated the institution.

Members of the Civil Disobedience Committee like

Mr. Motilal Nehru, Dr. Ansari, Ajmal khan, Rajaji,Vhaitalbhai Patel
and Kasturi Ranga Iyengar met at the residence of E.V.R.at
Erode and discussed the Programmes of the Congress party
and finalized them.
 CHAPTER - IV

THE CRUSADE AGAINST CASTE

Vaikkom is the place where the first struggle for civil rights
started in India. This place is situated within the territory of the
then Travancore Princely State but it is now in Kotayam District
of Kerala state. Around the Mahadeva temple, there were four
public streets in which the upper caste people alone were
privileged to walk.

The people who belong to the castes like Pulaya., Paraiya

Theeyar (a sub caste of Nadars) were not permitted legally to
walk along those streets. Untouchability was observed at all
levels in the social structure. It was cruel that the people were
classified into untouchables, unapproachable and useable in
our country.

The sathyagraha
One, Madhavan, an advocate of Ezhava Community, had
to walk necessarily along the streets around the temple in
connection with his case in the court of law. The Travancore
Government did not permit him. The leaders of the Kerala
Congress started a Sathyagraha struggle against the cruel
practice of untouchability. The then Travancore Government
acted as the custodian of Varnashrana Dharma and arrested
the Sathyagrah is and imprisoned them.
The letter E.V.R received
Since many of the leaders were arrested and put behind
the bars, the agitation slackened off. The leaders in the prison
wrote a letter to E.V.R. seeking his help. He was then the
President of Madras Provincial Congress Committee. In spite
of his suffering from diarrhea he reached vaikkom at their
request.

Refusal of Royal Reception

The king of Travancore was a family friend of E.V.R. and a
Royal reception was to offered to EVR. But he declined the
honour since he was the leader of the struggle and launched
the agitation as planned already.

Imprisonment in Kerala
The Government requested him repeatedly to stop the
agitation but in vain and the agitation continued. The Travancore
Government arrested him on 22nd April, 1924 and imprisoned
him for a month at Aruvikkuthi jail. While he was in prison
Nagammai and Kannammai participated in the struggle. Hence
a large number of women in Kerala came forward to take part
in the agitation.

E.V.R was freed though he was banished from Vaikkom.

At the same time, he defied the orders of the Government of
Travancore. He was re-arrested and sentenced to six months
rigorous imprisonment which he served in Pasuppura jail.

The King of Travancore passed away

The struggle against untouchability in Kerala assumed
greater proportions of a mass agitation. The orthodox people
who were bewildered conducted a yaga praying God to bring in
death to E.V.R. This yaga was called “Sathru Samhara Yaga”.
While the yaga was going on, the king of Travancore
unexpectedly passed away. On account of the death of the king,
the Government ordered the release of all agitators.

Vaikkom Hero
The Queen became the ruler of Travancore after the
demise of the King. She expressed her desire to hold talks with
the leaders of the agitation. Accordingly talks were held. As a
consequence, the Queen agreed to permit the so-called
untouchables to walk along the streets around the temple with
a condition that they should not enter the temple. The conditional
concession was accepted by the agitators and they requested
E.V.R. to stop the agitation. The Vaikkom struggle was brought
to an end. Immediately the Government issued an order
permitting the people of all castes to walk along the streets of
Vaikkom from 21st June 1925.

This agitation led by E.V.R wrested freedom for all castes

in India to walk along the streets without any restriction. E.V.R.
was hailed as “Vaikkom Hero” by the Tamil savant Thiru V.
Kalyanasundranar. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar also commended the
success of this agitation.

Temple Entry Agitation

After the Vaikkom struggle a conference was held at
Kottayam which was presided over by E.V.R. and resolutions
were passed regarding temple entry.

Subsequently, a similar conference was convened at

Ernakulam for the abolition of caste. In this conference it was
recommended that the Hindus might convert themselves to
Islam irrespective of their caste, thereby then could eradicate
the caste disparity.

After this resolution a large number of depressed people

embraced Islam. The Government Considered the continuation
of this situation as harmful of Hinduism. With no alternative it
passed orders allowing the Hindus of all castes to enter into
temples.

Again E.V.R. in Prison

E.V.R. returned to Erode as “Hero of Vaikkom”. Seven
months before the agitation of Vaikkom.he had delivereda
speech popularising khadi at Madras which convicted him on
the charge of sedition.
Eradication of caste at Gurukulam
A Gurukulam was established at Seranmadhevi in
Tirunelveli District to spread one of the principles of Congress
viz., nationalism among children. V.V. Subramaniya Iyer was
its Secretary. An annual grant of Rs.10,000 to that institution
was given from congress party funds. There was no common-
dining in that institution. The varna system enjoined
a nonbrahmin not to see a Brahmin eating, as it would be
considered contaminated. So also accommodations and
prayers were separate for the children of brahmin and non-
brahmin communities.

Thus the gurukulam instead of promoting unity, became

the breeding ground of caste divisions, disunity and segregation.
E.V.R condemned this discrimination and considered it injurious
to national unity and insisted on common dinning. In protest
against this injustice he as the secretary Tamil nadu congress
committee, stopped at once the grant of Party funds to the
gurukulam.

‘Kudi Arasu’ (Republic) started

To sow the seeds of self-respect and to grow them in the
minds of the people of Tamilnadu E.V.R. started a weekly
magazine Kudi Arasu at Erode.

The printing press was called unmai Vilakkam Achagam

which means Truth Exposition Press. The Gnaniyar Swamigal
of Thirupathirippuliyur released its first issue on 2nd may 1925.

The Kudi Arasu had the following aims inscribed on its

wrapper.

1. The idea of self-respect, equality and fraternity should

flourish among the people.

2. The discrimination among people such as high and low

add fuel to the fire of caste clashes. They should be uprooted in
order to develop the spirit of harmony among all human beings.
 CHAPTER - V

THE SELF RESPECT MOVEMENT

What does the Self-Respect Movement proclaim?

1. There should not be any discrimination among the people

in social life.

2. There should not be any economic imbalances in the

society. Lands and other resources should be equitably
distributed.

3. There should be equality between men and women in

all walks of life.

4. The affinity towards caste, religion, nation, varna and

God should altogether be dispensed with. There should be social
unity among the people.

5. Every individual in the society be it a labourer of a captalist

should work according to his capacity towards the fulfillment of
the social needs and enjoy the fruits thereof equally. with out
any gradation.

6. Man should not be a slave to anything in any way. He

should have complete freedom to act in accordance with his
own wisdom, reason, perception and feeling.

All activities and agitations of E.V.R. were based on the

above six tenets.
Quitting the congress

“The people of the upper castes in the society are well

educated and almost all of them are employed and they lead a
very happy life. But the people of the lower castes have no
adequate opportunities for education and there is no scope for
them for employment. They suffer without basic amenities like
food, cloth and shelter. Education and employment opportunities
should be given according to the proportional strength of
population of each community”. This measure will help achieve
social transformation. This is called communal representation.

E.V.R. emphasized the principle of communal

representation at the Provincial Conference of the Congress
party at Tiruchy. He moved a resolution to that effect in the
conferences held at Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, Tirupur, Salem and
Thiruvannamalai. But it was not admitted.

In 1925, the 31st Provincial Conference of the Congress

party was held at Kancheepuram under the President ship of
 E.V.R. moved the same communal resolution there also.
The resolution was rejected by the President of the Congress
on the pretext of public interests.

At that time E.V.R. was the Secretary of the Tamilnadu

Congress Committee. He felt sad that his resolution was
successively rejected in all the five conferences.

And this led to his quitting the Congress party along with
his followers. Theafter, he involved himself totally in the
propagation of the ideologies of the Self-Respect Movement.

The uniqueness of the ‘Self-Respect Movement’

When E.V.R. was asked what was the difference between
the Self-Respect Movement and other parties, he clarified: “The
Self-Respect Movement never seeks Votes; it never asks for
jobs or money; it never demands high positions or even awards.
Besides, its followers spend all their time, money and influence
for the sake of the Party”.

The Conference of the ‘Nons’

A small but powerful minority of the society who had taken
the governance in their hands was not only dominating, but also
exploiting and impoverishing the majority of the people. E.V.R.
wanted to expose this injustice to the people. Therefore he
convened the Non-Brahmin Conference.He also convened the
following conferences :

Non-landowners Conferences, Non-usurers Conferences

* Non-Capitalists conference

*Non -Industrialists conference

 * Non - House oweners conference.

* Non - Jamindars Conference

* Non - Upper Castes Conference etc

These are the important objectives of the Self Respective

Movement. It is the prime duty of the Self respect Movement to
annilhielate such institutions or Communities which are found
detrimental to the equality and progress of the society or blocking
the path of peace and harmony. If should be further ensured
that they do not resurrect at a later date.

Meeting with Mahatma Gandhi

E.V.R. met Gandhi at the latter’s request in Bangalore in
1927. At that time, E.V.R made an attempt to convince Gandhi
that if the evils of the society were to be eradicated Hinduism
and Brahmin dominance should first of all be put to an end. He
was not convinced with the explanations of Gandhi.

The approval of Communal Reservation

Dr. Subbaroyan, an independent, elected to the Madras
Legislative Council formed his Ministry in Madras Presidency in
1926 with the support of the Justice Party.

This Ministry accepted the Communal Reservation Policy

put forward by E.V.R. He commended S. Muthiah (Mudaliar),
the Minister concerned for his invaluable service to the
Nonbrahmin Communites.

Railway employees’ strike

There was a strike at that time by the South Indian Railway
Employees went on a strike which was supported by E.V.R. He
was arrested and sent to jail for having defied the ban order on
the strike.

Lauching an English Journal, ‘Revolt’

E.V.R. started an English journal called Revolt on 7th
November 1928 for propagating the ideals of the Self-Respect
Movement. Revolt means breaking the restrictions that are
contrary to reason and human nature. The world and its
pleasures are common to everybody. Further the aim of the
journal was to spread conscientiously the principles of social
equality in all possible ways.
The First Self-Respect Conference
E.V.R at the age of 50, convened the first Self-Respect
Conference in 1929 at Chengalpattu. This had a far-reaching
impact on the History of Self-Respect Movement.

The resolutions passed by the conference, later became

the beacon for all political parties which came to power
subsequently in Tamil Nadu.

The gist of the resolutions:

1. Communal Reservation particularly in education, politics
and employment should be provided.

2. There should be no discrimination based on birth.

3. Religion, Vedas, Sastras and Puranas, (that preach

discrimination) should not be followed.

4. There should be no divisions like Brahmins, Kshatrias,

Vaisyas, Sutras and Panchamas.

5. Untouchability should not be practised in public

places like roads, tanks, wells, schools and choultries.

6. There should be statutory provision against the practice

of untouchability. (It has been enshrined in Article 17 of
the Constitution of India since 26th January 1950 due to
the efforts of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar)

7. Caste names should not be suffixed with the names of

individuals.

8. No one should not bear any caste or religious symbol.

9. Women should have the right to divorce and remarriage;

10. The marriageable age of girls should be raised.

11. Mother tongue must be the medium of instruction

in educational institutions.

12. Elementary education should be made compulsory.

The First Self Respect conference

13. The so-called untouchables should be provided with
books, food, cloths free of cost.

14. Public funds should not be spent on higher education

incase of need it should be on the basis of communal
resevation.

15. There should be no middlemen or broker between the

worshipers and the workshipped.

16. Temples, mutts, choultry or Vedapadasala should

not be built anew.

17. Celebrations of festivals in the temples should be

stopped.

18. People should be involved in intellectual pursuits.

19. Non-brahmin association should be organized in all

villages to condemn the injustice done to them by the
Brahmins.

20. The Government should offer lands to depressed people.

21. The so-called untouchables should be given first

priority in Government appointments.

22. Any lesson in the text book preaching superstitions

should not be prescribed.

23. The lessons that induce reason, self efforts, and

research aptitude should be prescribed for study.

24. There should be equal property rights between

men and women.

25. Only women teacher should be appointed in primary

26. Mass media such as drama and films should
inculcate reason, self respect and self confidence in the
minds of the people.

27. The restaurants that show communal discrimination

should not be given license.

28. The discriminations practised at Railway restaurants on

the basis of caste, religion, and colour should be
removed. (not in vogue now)

29. Siddha system of medicine should be encouraged and

widely practised.

30. Wages should be paid according to work. A Share in the

profit of the business must compulsorily be paid to the
workers.

31. For youngsters, fully equipped gymnasia should be

established everywhere.

32. People are requested to elect Self Respecters only in

the ensuring elections.

33. Resolution felicitating E.V.R who was responsible for

the social upliftment and liberation and requesting the
public to adopt and propagate the ideals of E.V.R. were
passed.

Women’s right to property

The Resolution passed in the Chengalpattu Conference
in 1929 to provide for equal property rights to men and women
was legalized after 60 years in 1989, by Dr. Karunanidhi, the
then Chief Minister, making suitable enactments in Tamilnadu
First Malaysian tour
E.V.R. started his first Malaysian tour from Nagapattinam
port on 15th December 1929. He toured there for thirty two
days and delivered thirty nine lectures enunciating the principles
of Self-Respect Movement and attended 34 felicitation meetings.
He returned to Nagapattinam on 16th January 1930.

The tale of his beard

During his voyage one day E.V.R. had to wait for hours at
the saloon to have a shave. This made him think, whether it
was worthwhile to wait so long as to have a shave.

At once he decided to give up to habit of shaving as it was

a futile job. “It needs 10 minutes a day; 300 minutes for a month;
3650 minutes per year. The time thus saved by giving up this
practice of shaving could be spent for useful purposes.
Thereafter he continued to have the beard throughout his life.

The old woollen clothes

E.V.R began his European tour from Madras (Chennai)
Harbour on 13th December 1931. He was accompanied by S.
Ramanathan and Erode Ramu. They searched for dresses that
would withstand the European cold. Ramanathan purchased
woollen coat and suit and boots etc. for more than a thousand
rupees. But E.V.R purchased second- hand coat. Suit, boots
and a woolen blanket used by the military personnel for a paltry
sum of Rs.20. from a shop where old clothes were sold. He
used only those clothes till the end of his tour.

The woollen blanket was used in the meetings as turban

and the same was used as bed spread. On some occasions it
Though E.V.R. was affluent enough to spend a large amount of
money towards his foreign tour he completed his journey simply
with old woolen clothes. Thus his frugality is highly
commendable.

Frugalilty – the best of virtues

Periyar was of opinion:

Spending on essentials is only frugality

Spending on non-essential things is extravagance

Spending not even on essentials is miserliness

Periyar used to remark: “Perhaps I would have felt the pains

of carrying the bundle but never did I have any sense of shame
in carrying it”. A rationalist should lead an average standard of
living. This should be the ideal of his life everyday.

European tour
E.V.R.wanted to study the political, economic and social
conditions in the West. He had a keen desire to observe
personally the implementation of the socialist principles in
Russia. But his health did not permit him to undertake a foreign
tour. Doctors advised him not to embark on a journey. But he
ignored their advice and proceeded.

Journey in the fourth deck

It was usual with many wealthy people to travel by aero
planes in those days. Otherwise they preferred to travel by ship
in the first class. Though E.V.R. was rich, he desired to travel
by ship only in the fourth deck intended for the poor.
 His choice of fourth deck travel inspite of his ill-health made
those who came to the harbour to see him off brim with tears.

At Berlin
E.V.R stayed in Berlin, the capital of Germany for many
days. Germany was then a Republic. There were many
societies and newspapers with socialist stance.

E.V.R. visited those societies with his friends. He discussed

with some of the Government officials and understood their
motives and objectives.

Experiences in Russia
E.V.R. and his friends stayed for a long time in Russia. As
the State guests, they visited 15 to 20 cities in the country. They
also visited Government offices, big industrial establishments
and educational institutions. They studied the working of the
labour unions. They paid a visit to the agriculture farms and
observed how agriculture was being carried on scientifically.
 They met the high dignitaries and officers of the Russian
Government. Warm Reception was accorded to them
everywhere by the people, the workers, and the officials.

Periyar and others were felicitated with citations at many

places. They also addressed several public meetings.

Lectures in England
During his visit to England E.V.R met many labour union
leaders among whom Saklathwala was a noteworthy person.
He enquired and learned about the trade union movement of
that country.

A public meeting of workers was held at Maxborouogh Lake

Park, England on 20th June 1932. more than 50,000 Labourers
attended the meeting where E.V.R delivered a valiant address.
 “You may consider the Indians to be ridiculous as a
community but we in turn consider the British Labour Party as
a Party to be jeered at. The laborers of Indian mines are paid a
meager eight Annas as wage for an individual for ten hours of
work.

Nearly 40,000 women labourers are working in the mines

for a wage of mere five Annas daily. What has this Labour
Government done to stop this ignominy and cruelty? India is
administered by a political body dominated by the Indian kings,
zamindars, capitalists and European traders. Such a
Government is not accountable to the majority of the people
who are deprived of their rights with the support of the Britishers.
Therefore the workers of Yorkshire! Do not believe those bogus
parties and their hypocritical ideologies. Ensure unity among
the workers of the world to fight for social emancipation, human
freedom and equality with the spirit of truth.”

Then he travelled to Wales, Greece, Portugal, Italy, France,

Egypt and Ceylon and returned to Erode on 11th November 1932
with rich experiences.

Nagammai passed away

Nagammai passed away on 11th May 1933 when E.V.R.
was 54 years. E.V.R. wrote an editorial in his weekly 'Kudi Arasu'
under the caption “Nagammai’s death”.

The editorial was in fact an elegy which is considered as

an immortal literary piece. He wrote:

“Nagammai lived and aspired to live only for me, not for
herself. I realized this fact every minute of my life. I consider
Nagammai’s death neither a tragedy nor a loss. I desire to
consider it not only an advantage but also a matter of joy. I
really consider it as such. The latter chapter of my life time may
be replete with extraordinary episodes. If Nagammai were alive
to witness them she might get agonized. There is no doubt that
I may also grow pensive and grief-stricken on seeing her agony.
Therefore Nagammai’s death has given me more freedom. The
fact that I have been much relieved of the domestic bondage
elevated me to a higher position in life.”

Thus Periyar considered “Service is a panacea for all

sufferings and ills” and involved himself still deeper in the service
of the society.

Service amidst crises

Neither death nor illness of the members of the family did
detract E.V.R from rendering public service. He did not spare
time for them. Examples are many: one young boy of his family
was sent to London on his 10th year for higher studies. He
returned home and died of tuberculosis. At the time of his death,
E.V.R. was on tour to participate in the activities of the movement.

When his father-in-law was suffering from deadly fever at

E.V.R’s house the latter was in Madras. On the day when his
elder brother’s wife expired, E.V.R. went out for attending the
party work.

An hour before the death of his mother he went on a tour

Likewise when his wife was on the deathbed he had gone to
Tirupathur conference and returned. On the very next day of
the death of his wife Nagammai he went to Trichy to preside
over a Christian inter-caste marriage. There was a prohibition
order under the Indian Penal Code against the marriage.
However, he conducted the marriage by defying the order and
courted arrest. Later he was released.

Again he was arrested at Erode for having written an article

published in the weekly viz. 'Dravidan' run by the South Indian
Liberal Federation. Since he became weak due to anemia and
malarial fever in Vellore Central Jail he was released within a
month.

‘Puratchi’ (Revolution) published

He started ‘Puratchi’ (Revolution), a weekly on 20 th
November 1933. In its first issue E.V.R. observed ‘Puratchi’ has
been started to thwart the attempts made by the vested interests
to eliminate Kudi Arasu. It is true that if there is no place for
republic (Kudi Arasu) which literally means the government for
the masses in the world.

Definitely a revolution (Puratchi) will break out. Accordingly

the people who have faith in revolution will welcome this journal
‘Puratchi’. This weekly magazine puratchi is looking forward to
the support of the exploited and the poverty – stricken masses.
Puratchi is not published to-day to exterminate the white
capitalists in order to safeguard the black capitalists nor even
to abolish the white rule with a view to establishing the black
rule. In the same way ‘ Puratchi’ is not born to propagate Islam
and Christianity by annihilating Hinduism.

Puratchi has emerged to make all people (both men and

women) live with self-respect and social equality by destroying
the entire class of capitalists and all kinds of religions.
Punishment for his writing
E.V.R. wrote an article in his journal Kudi Arasu entitled
“Why should this present Government be eradicated?” for which
he was arrested on a charge of sedition on 30th December 1933
and sent to jail. The District Collector of Coimbatore heard this
case and convicted him with 9 months imprisonment and penalty
of Rs. 300. In default, he should undergo one more month of
imprisonment. His sister Kannammai suffered the same
punishment as she was the publisher of the magazine.

The Ten Point Programme

E.V.R. gave a ten point programme to the conference of
the Justice Party held in 1934.

1. The government officers and servants should be paid

adequately.

2. The government should take over the mills in the interest

and welfare of the people.

3. Co-operative Institutions should be established to

eliminate middlemen.

4. Efforts should be taken to relieve the agriculturists from

the burden of debt.

5. All steps should be taken to work out a time-bound

programme to provide education to all the children and to liberate
the people from superstitions at least to some extent and to
provide proportional representation in job opportunities to the
people of all castes and religions.

6. Religion is an affair of the individual. There should not

administration. There should not be any special privilege or
status on the basis of caste or religion.

7. There should not be any tax to a possible extent on the

cultivators who employ agricultural labourers should be
proportionate to the yield.

8. Local bodies should be vested with more powers.

9. Litigations should be minimized; Death duty should be

imposed. An act should be passed to give effect to these items.

10. If the legislature does not have such powers it should

obtain them. The Justice party accepted the above programme
and therefore E.V.R. started supporting the Justice Party.

‘Pakutharivu’ (Reason) a weekly started

The journal Puratchi was stopped and in its place another

weekly by name Pakutharivu was started by Periyar E.V.R. In
the first issue of Pakutharivu dated 26th August 1934 E.V.R. wrote
as follows:

Pakutharivu will strive to destroy the harmful admiration

which has emerged in human society due to the foolish adoration
and affinity to God, caste, religion, country and self-esteem. It
will consider the human dignity and unity as the most important
factor. It will lead the people to humanism but not to a retrograde
life of slavery.

Thus the principal that “the journals are intended to render

service to humanism but not to a retrograde life of slavery.

Thus the principle that “the journals are intended to render

services to the people by guiding them properly remains as the
The reformation of Tamil alphabets
It was only in ‘Pakutharivu’ that E.V.R. introduced certain
reforms in the Tamil alphabets. He introduced the process of
reformation of some of the Tamil scripts through his weekly
‘Pakutharivu’ for the first time. He cut down fourteen letters from
the total number of Tamil alphabets. As a result typing and
composing have become easy.

The Government of Tamil Nadu implemented these reforms

in Tamil alphabets only after fifty years of its introduction. Malaysia
and Singapore followed suit.

Launching of ‘Viduthalai’ (Liberation)

Viduthalai, the daily newspaper which was started on 1st
June 1935 continues to exist now. It is noteworthy that this is
the only ‘Atheist’ daily in the whole of India. E.V.R. expressed
his views thus: “We desire that this daily news paper should
live longer and serve the masses as well as scholars and bring
in real freedom to the people of the world.”

Death of his mother

E.V.R.’s mother Chinnathayammai died on 28th July 1936.
An hour before she breathed her last, E.V.R. had obtained
permission from his mother to attend a meeting at Jolarpet.
The same night he returned only to see the dead body of his
mother.
 CHAPTER - VI

THE JUSTICE PARTY

The Justice Party suffered a defeat in the General Elections
held in January 1937. E.V.R. was not demoralized. But he
encouraged the leaders of the Justice Party that there was still
scope for working better for the Nonbrahmin Movement. He took
an active part in the activities of the Justice Party.

Anna’s Entry
C.N. Annadurai, a post-graduate from Pachaiyappa’s
College joined Periyar as his assistant. It was known fact in
those days that educated people would eagerly seek
Government employment. An M.A. graduate without evincing
interest in government job and considering social service as
the most important one and joining E.V.R. who had studied only
up to 4th standard, was praise worthy.

The Test Tube Baby

In ‘Kudi Arasu’ dated 31st January 1938, E.V.R. stated that
there would be no connection between child birth and man-
woman conjugal relationship

It became a prophecy of the future Test Tube Baby. Anna

took notes of the speech of Periyar delivered in a marriage and
published it in his weekly Dravida Nadu under the caption ‘The
world to come’. E.V.R. had thus anticipated such scientific
achievements even in those days.

Special emphasis on family planning

Periyar warned as early as 1928 itself that of population
explosion would turn out to be a social disaster. The plight of
women being child-bearing machines should be transformed.
E.V.R. emphasized that if the sufferings of the families were to
be mitigated, family control method should necessarily be
adopted. Today we witness that in the name of family planning
this method is followed all over the world.

E.V.R. the Periyar

The Women’s Conference of Tamil Nadu was held on 13th
November 1938 in Chennai. Neelambigai Ammai, daughter of
Maraimalai Adigal, a great Tamil Savant presided.
 This conference adopted a resolution conferring upon
E.V.R. a respectful title namely ‘PERIYAR’ ( a Great man) in
consideration of his selfless and matchless services the cause
of Tamil society. The conference decided to prefix the title
‘Periyar’ to his name.

Opposition to compulsory Hindi

In 1938 Rajaji, the then Premier of the Madras Presidency
introduced Hindi as a compulsory subject in High Schools in
Tamilnadu. Periyar started the Anti-Hindi agitation with the
support of Tamil scholars and the public. Many Anti Hindi
conferences were held. Periyarr was arrested at the very first
Anti-Hindi agitation and was sentenced to two years
imprisonment.

The leader of the Justice Party

When Periyar was in jail he was elected leader of Justice
Party. The Fourteenth Conference of the Party was held at
Madras on 29th December 1938 which was presided over by
sir. A.T. Panneerselvam in the absence of E.V.R. He took away
the garland offered to him and placed it on the portrait of Periyar
adorning the dais. He read out the address sent by Periyar from
jail. People were immersed in a flood of emotions.

Periyar was transferred from Madras prison to Coimbatore.

Later he was taken to Bellary. After some days he was brought
back to Coimbatore.

These frequent changes of places told upon his health

which suffered a serious set back. His weight decreased to
73kg from 87kg. On seeing his declining health the Government
released Periyar fearing that he would die in jail and consequently
there would be a great outburst of violence.

Some time after his release, Periyar undertook a tour of

North India and during his journey he met Mohammed Ali Jinnah
at Bombay, the creator of Pakistan.

Periyar declined Premiership twice

On 11 th November, 1940 the Governor of Madras
Presidency requested Periyar to accept the responsibility of the
administration of Madras Presidency. Periyar refused to assume
the office of Premiership as it would seriously affect his social
work. In 1942 the Governor-General of India as well as the
Governor of Madras Presidency called upon him to form the
Government. Once again Periyar declined the offer on the same
plea.
 CHAPTER – VII

THE DRAVIDAR KAZHAGAM

The Justice Party renamed Dravidar Kazhagam
The sixteenth Provincial conference of the Justice Party
was held at salem on 27th August 1944 under the chairmanship
of Periyar. In that Conference, the South Indian Liberal Federation
which was hitherto called the Justice Party changed its name
into the Dravidar Kazhagam, by a resolution moved by C.N.
Annadurai.

The first resolution of Dravidar Kazhagam

After changing of nomenclature as the Dravidar
Kazhagam, its first resolution was about eradication of caste.

a. People have been ascribed caste differences based on

birth. Among them some castes are held high and some are
considered low. The Dravidar Kazhagam refutes these divisions.
The people should not follow the religion, the Sastras, the
Smirtis, the Puranas and Kaviyas that support and propagate
these discriminations. It is resolved that the Party followers
particularly, should not adhere to these differences. The party
members should take efforts to resist any attempt meant to
impose these differences on them.
 b. Every effort should be made to change the laws
justifying the above caste distinctions.

c. The Dravidar Kazhagam never accepts the principle of

Varnashrama Dharma and its concomitant divisions of people
as Brahmins, Shatriyas, Vysyas, Sudras and Panchamas.
These divisions should be put to an end in whatever forms they
exist.

d. The practices of untouchability, unapproachability,

unseeability, refusal of common-dining, and common
worshipping are to be abolished.

e. The First Conference of the Dravidar Kazhagam

exhorted the people to give up caste suffixes added to their
names and also caste symbols.

A brigade of Black Shirts

Periyar organized a brigade of Black-shirt volunteers for

intensive party work. He explained the objectives of this brigade
as follows: “The black shirt is not a symbol of a paramilitary
force. It is an index of social ignominy for which we feel disgraced
and agonized. It is a sign that we have decided to get rid of this
humiliation but not otherwise.

The Flag of the D.K

The flag of the Dravidar Kazhagam was designed and

approved by Periyar on 27th April 1946. The flag was of a black
rectangular shape with a red circle in the middle. The black
colour signified the gloom and misery of the society, the red
represented the merging revolution.
 The black flag demonstration to Rajaji

Periyar conducted the Annual Conference of the Dravidar

Kazhagam in 1948 at Tuticorin. Hindi was reintroduced as a
compulsory subject in schools. Therefore the second Anti-Hindi
agitation started.

Rajaji was the Governor-General of India. During his visit

to Chennai, Periyar decided to organize a black flag
demonstration against him condemning the imposition of Hindi.
He was arrested and released after some days.

Police harassments to Periyar

Periyar violated the ban order issued under Section 144 of

Indian Penal Code at Kumbakonam on 18th December 1948.
He was arrested at midnight and taken in a van to Tiruchirapalli
where he was stationed in the sub-jail and then he was brought
to Thanjavur. To keep his whereabouts unknown he was taken
to Ayyampettai from where he was entrained to Madras.

After all these harassments, the Government released him

within two days fearing to detain him any longer in prison.

Thirukkural Conference
In 1948 Periyar convened a Thirukkural Conference. The
book Thirukkural was in the sole possession of Tamil scholars
in those days. It is a code of conduct and also a guide to life.
Periyar convened this Conference to popularize it among the
masses. He observed that all those who study Thirukkural deeply
will acquire the spirit of self-respect, as it comprises all the noble
principles of politics, sociology, economics and many other
things. Therefore he made a fervent appeal to his followers to
Periyar met Rajaji
During 1949, Rajaji, the Governor-General of India came
to Tiruvannamalai to attend the inaugural function of a
pathalalingam. Periyar called on Rajaji at the latter’s Railway
saloon at Tiruvannamalai Railway Station and had a
conversation.

Marriage with Maniyammai

On 9th July 1949 Periyar married Maniyammai. It was a
registered marriage. Anna had difference of opinion about this
marriage and on that score he parted ways with Periyar. Then
he founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam with his followers.

Maniyammai
The wife of Periyar, Maniyammai was a student of the Self-
Respect movement from her childhood. She dedicated herself
as a follower of Periyar. She looked after Periyar till his end as a
maid and mother. When he could not walk in his old age, Periyar
was seated on a wheel chair and taken to all places by his
followers. When he was unable to stand upright he mounted up
and got down from the platform with great difficulty leaning on
the shoulders of his lieutenants. Maniyammai took extra-ordinary
care by giving him food at the appropriate time and by controlling
his diet.

It was very difficult for him to control his diet. He was careful
not to waste the served food and therefore he ate stomachful .
Maniyammai put him on diet every time with much care. She
changing his dress, cleaning his urine and excreta and giving
him medicine at regular intervals of time without getting fed up.
Book seller
While Periyar was addressing at public meetings
Maniyammai would be sitting in a corner, away from the crowd
and selling the books written by Periyar.

Though she was the wife and the sole heiress of a great
leader who had innumerable followers and who headed a
movement with properties worth several crores she was very
simple. Sometimes she used to take notes of her husband’s
speeches and send them to Viduthalai. She was also an orator
and good administrator. Yet her humility and selfless services
are commendable.

Her Simple Life

Despite her affluence Maniammai did not choose to lead a
luxurious life. She accompanied Periyar wherever he went
skipping even her regular food and sleep. She always stayed
with him to render service. She cheerfully accepted this kindof
a life of sacrifice with her frail body.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Periyar lived upto 95

years only because of her selfless service to him.

Fight for Communal Rights

The Indian Constitution came into force on 26th January
1950. Periyar felt that some of its provisions safeguarded the
Varnashrama Dharma. Periyar wrote articles condemning those
provisions. On 28th July 1950 the Madras High Court declared
the Communal Reservation which was in force in Tamilnadu
as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court confirmed this
judgement in September 1950. Periyar called upon the people
The Golden Sayings of Periyar
Periyar was penalized for the publication of his views in a
book entitled Golden Sayings of Periyar. At the same time Anna
was punished for his book Ariya Mayai (the illusions of
Aryanism). On the 18th September, 1950, both of them were
imposed a fine Rs.500/-. failing which they would have to under
go a six months’ imprisonment. As they refused to pay the fine,
they were imprisoned and put in adjacent rooms in Trichy Central
Jail. Later, Periyar and Anna were released on the same day
i.e. 28-09-1950.

The first Amendment to the Consitution of India

The Communal Rights Conference was held at Trichy on
3rd December 1950. Periyar presided over it. He united all people
who were deprived of social justice and made them agitate. At
last his fight for communal rights succeeded. The Indian
Constitution was amended for the first time to protect communal
rights. The philosophy of communal rights propounded by
Periyar is accepted today by the Government of India and it has
blossomed into a report of Mandal Commission which the
Government approved and issued orders providing reservation
to the Backward Classes in the appointments of Central
Government. As a result nearly 50 crores of people were
benefited by this order in India. This would be ever cherished in
the memory of the people of the Indian subcontinent.

Opposition to the Caste-Based Education

During the first Elections of India in 1952 the Congress
party was defeated in Tamilnadu. Periyar was responsible for
this defeat. Yet Congress formed a cfoalition Ministry. Rajaji
the Government he closed down nearly 2500 schools. Even in
the remaining schools he staggered the working hours into two
sessions-morning and evening. The evening hours were to be
used by the pupils to learn their traditional caste avocations.
Periyar described this system as caste-oriented educational
Programme. He burst out with anger. In his speeches he pointed
out that the future of the Tamilians would be doomed by this
system of education. He called upon the people to agitate.
Realizing the importance of Periyar’s advice all parties in
Tamilnadu supported him.

Resignation of Rajaji
A Conference of Dravidar Kazhagam was held at
Nagapattinam in 1954. It was decided to set up a propaganda
brigade against the castebased educational programme. It set
out its march under the leadership of Needamangalam A
Arumugam, from Nagapattinam to Madras. On its way the
members of the brigade explained the evils of this scheme to
the people of the villages. When it reached Madras Rajaji
resigned his Chief Ministership citing health reasons

Kamaraj became the Chief Minister

K. Kamaraj took over the Chief Ministership of TamilNadu
with support of Periyar. He abolished the castebased –
education programme of Rajaji on 18th April 1954 and he
reopened all the schools closed down by his predecessor,

He framed a policy to open one primary school in every

village within a radius of 3k.m and a high school within 8k.m.
Many schools were opened in Tamilnadu following this policy,
which helped to a great extent to eradicate illiteracy. Periyar
Tours in Burma and Malaysia
In his 74th year, Periyar began his Burma (Myanmar) and
Malaysian tour. At Rangoon he addressed the World Buddhist
conference on 15 th December 1954 where he met
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Agitation against castes on name boards

The hotels owned by Brahmins in Tamilnadu had name
boards as “Brahmin Hotels” this exhibited the caste supremacy
of the Brahmins. Periyar declared that these name boards
should be removed. His followers picketed the Brahmin hotels
and they succeeded in removing those boards.

The Thanjavur Conference

A Conference was held at Thanjavur on 3rd November
1957 where thousands of black shirt volunteers participated. It
was also decided in that conference to burn the copies of certain
containing certain Articles of of the constitution as a mark of
protest since they upheld the caste divisions of Varnashrama
Dharma

Periyar Weighed Himself ( Thulabaram)

In fond rememberance of his great services to the Tamil
Society, silver coins equivalent to his weight were presented to
Periyar. Offering gifts equivalent to their weights (Thulabaram)
to religious saints was only customary in this country.

But Periyar, a stubborn atheist was honoured with the

presentation of articles such as cereals, betal leaves, tamarind,
chillies, red grams, gingelly oil, turmeric, vegetables, rice, milk,
sugar, coffee seeds, biscuits, handloom cloths, salt, grams,
Caste-eradication struggle
It is the caste system in India that prevented the people
from getting themselves united. It also divided them into so many
endogamous groups.

It was all due to Varnasharama Dharma. The Articles 13,

25, 372 of the Constitution of India safeguard the principles of
Varnashrama Dharma. He commanded his followers to print
those sections separately and burn them in public places. In
response to his call, more than ten thousand volunteers burnt
the copies of the articles of the Constitution. Among them nearly
thousand party cadres were arrested and penalized.

In the endeavour of abolition of caste, two of them died in

prison and twenty of them took seriously illly. They too died soon
after their release. Nowhere in India such a sacrifice was ever
made for the eradication of caste as the followers of Periyar
did.

Dr.Lohia met Periyar

Periyar in his 79th year addressed many meetings in Trichy
district. His speeches, delivered at three villages were
considered to be provocative and he was therefore charge
sheeted. He was convicted for each speech with six months
imprisonment individually which he should undergo concurrently
at Madras Central Prison. His health declined while he was
undergoing the imprisonment He was admitted for treatment
at the Government General Hospital, Madras.

Dr. Ram Monohar Lohia, the socialist leader met Periyar

on 23rd January 1958 in the hospital. Periyar was released on
31 st May 1958. In this context, the Revolutionary poet
Bharathidasan wrote a verse, welcoming Periyar in his journal
‘Kuyil.’

‘Supreme Court condemnation day’ – meeting

The General Electrions were announced in 1962. Periyar,
in spite of his poor health, campaigned vigorously for Kamaraj
and secured him victory. Kamaraj formed the smallest Ministry.
He enacted the Land Ceiling Act. According to this Act nobody
was allowed to have more than 30 standard acres of land. The
surplus land should be taken over by the Government for
distrbution among the landless poor. The Supreme Court of
India struck down this Act as unconstitutional. Periyar organized
“The Supreme Court Condemnation Day” meetings throughout
Tamilnadu against the aforesaid Judgment.

Rationalist propaganda wing

Periyar conducted self-respect training classes for his
followers at Trichy from 15th June 1964 for a period of 24 days.
A fifty member Rationalist Propaganda Wing of the Dravidar
Kazhagam was constituted to propagate the deceptive nature
of the concept of God and Puranas which suppressed truth
and suggested only falsehood. Periyar declared that wisdom,
virtue, good conduct and integrity were the watch words of this
wing.

Eradication of caste
“In our country one can change one's religion if he desires
but not the caste. Periyar was of firm opinion that caste which
discriminated one from the other should be immediately
dispensed with. Caste is inseparably intertwined with religion
which in turn is controlled by Vedas and Puranas. Therefore it
is necessary to separate Vedas and Puranas from religion.
Ssince the bond between the two is stronger it is inevitable that
religion, Vedas and Puranas in one heap should be burnt”. So
said Periyar. In April 1965 he wanted his followers to burn
Ramayana, which in his opinion, perpetuated caste distinction.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

In the General Elections held in 1967 the Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam registered a resounding Victory. Anna formed the
Ministry. On the same day he travelled to Trichy met Periyar,
paid his respects and sought his support for his Government.

Periyar agreed to lend his support to the D.M.K. on the

basis of Principles. The D.M.K. Government headed by Anna
made three improtant historic achievements.

1. The name of Madras State was changed into Tamilnadu.

2. The Government adopted the two - language formula,

making Tamil as the official language in Tamilnadu and English
as the link language between the State and the Central
Government.

3. The Government gave the legal sanction to the Self

Respect Marriages which Periyar advocated and conducted all
over Tamil Nadu Section 7 of Hindu Marriages Act.
 CHAPTER VIII

RATIONALISTS’ FORUM
Launch of the Jounral ‘Unmai’ (Truth)
On 14th January 1970 (Pongal Day) Periyar started a new
journal by name Unmai (Truth). In the editorial of its first issue
Periyar announced, that “The aim of the journal is to turn people
rational”. He started Rationalists Fora throghout the state.

The people of all castes as ‘Archakas’

To fulfill the aspirations of Periyar an Act was passed by
the Tamilnadu Legislature on 12the January 1971 enabling the
people of all castes to become Archakas. Later this Act was
struck down by the Supreme Court of India become according
to Hindu agamas Brahmins alone could perform archanas to
god. By Virtue of birth, non – Brahmins were not considered
eligible to do it. The Constitution of India endorses such
practices.

The Superstition Eradication Conference

Periyar convened the Superstition Eradication Conference
at Salem on 23rd January 1971 with a view to condemning the
superstitious beliefs of the people.
Launching of ‘Modern Rationalist’ – and English
Monthly
Periyar started an English monthly named 'Modern
Rationalist' on 1st September 1971 to propagate Humanism,
Atheism and Rationalism among the people.

A Symbol of selflessness :
Periyar’s health deteriorated and rendered him incapable
of walking during the last ten years of his life. He developed
complications in the Urinary bladder. He also suffered from
hernia. Consequently, a surgery was performed and a rubber
tube was attached to the urinary bladder facilitating the out let
of accumulated urine into a bottle, kept in a plastic bucket.

Wherever Periyar moved his assistants would carry

this urine bucket also.
Even at this shage he would insist on being carried
physically to the public meetings. Unmindful of his agony, he
would start speaking. In the course of his speech he would
roar like a lion

In conferences he would sit up on the dais all through the

day and boserve the proceedings.

It is natural for any leader to retire from public life on grounds

of ill-health. Contrarily, age, senility, agonizing illness all his
physical sufferings and pains would not deter him from his
tireless crusade against the ills of the society. He was a great
beginning of the history of awakening and reform. He proved
himself to be a leader par excellence, who toiled all his life for
the common good.
 History has recorded martyrdom and crucifixion in the
name of religion. But as a non– believer Periyar’s was a case
of supreme sacrifice in the annals of history.

Punctuality
He would arrive in time to any programme however simple
it was. Whenver he ad to attend marriages in villages, he would
reach the respective place on the previous day itself. He would
collect the information about the family life, profession and
income, educational and job opportunities of those people who
conducted the wedding During the course of his speech, he
would offer suggestions to improve the status of their life. He
maintained punctuality strictly throughout his life.

His Manners
He would receive his party men and others irrespective of
their age and social status with great politeness. He would
address them using the honorific plural (Vaanga and ponga).
He did not mind the age differences. He did not distinguish
people on the basis of position, power or wealth. He was a very
careful listener of the views of the people who met him. He
never showed an indifference to people who came to hi,. He
would stand up and receive them inspite of his physical inability.

Tireless work even in old age.

No leader in this world with so much hardship met the
people daily in the streets by traveling in an ordinary van on
poor unmemorable roads with physical pain and with great
sense of forbearance, as Periyar did in Tamilnadu.
The Uprooting Ignominy
In the name of Hindu religion one is differentiated as a
person of upper caste and the other of a lower caste based on
birth. Periyar considered those differences as enemies to self
– respect. He convened the conference for Eradication of
Ignominy on 8th and 9 th December 1973 in Madras to discuss
the ways and means to put and end to this injustice outright..

There should not be and discrimination between man and

man. Periyar had a firm opinion that showing any discrimination
Particularly in places of worship was still more unjust. To
dispense with this kind of inequality, he insisted on taking
necessary steps to make people of all castes eligible to become
archival.

Tamilnadu Government accepted the rationale of his

argument and enacted a law to that effect. The Superme Court
declared it illega. Condemning the judgment as unjust Periyar
decided to organize an agitation against the verdict of the court.

Periyar delivered his last speech at Theayagaraya Nagar

in Madras on 19the December 1973. He took ill on the next day
and he was admitted into the Christian Medical college hospital
Vellore where he passed away on 24the december 1973. He
was then – 95.

The Tamil Nadu Government issued an ‘obituary note’ in a

special gazette. Periyar was not a leader of a political party but
he spearheaded a social movement. It was for the first time
that such an obituary note was issued by the Government of
Tamil Nadu.
The Last Journey
After his demise Periyar’s body was taken to Rajaji hall at
Chennai and laid up there for public homage. Lakhs of people
filed past and placed wreaths on the body and bid a tearful
farewell. His body was taken in a procession on a decorated
carriage followed by his volunteers in black shirts. In the midst
of that occean of sorrow, thousands of black – shirt volunteers
shouted “Long Live Periyar”., Lakhs and lakhs of people echoed
this slogan rending the air. The flood of sorrow was transformed
into an ocean of heroic homage on the evening of 25the
December 1973. Periyar ‘s body was entombed at Periyar Thidal
in Chennai with full state honours. Periyar lives as an ideology.
 His Message
What does the long life and services of Thanthai Periyar
tell us?

A Man should treat everybody alike. A follower of

Periyar should be true to himself in thought, word and
deed.

The Government of India and the Government of Tamilnadu

besides honouring Periyar in a fitting manner brought in many
reformatory measures in fulfilment of his idelogies and
mentioned below:

1. The Government of India issued commemorative stamp on

Periyar after his deatg.

2. The Government of Tamilnadu celebrated the centenary of

Periyar and his golden sayings were inscribed on pillar
installed in all districts.

3. The Government put into practice certain logical changes

in Tamil alphabets, propounded and adopted by Periyar.

4. The communal reservation for other backward classes as

advocated by Periyar was implemented thoughout India by
the former Preime Minister V.P. Singh following the
recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

5. The Government of Tamilnadu has legalized the self –

respect marriages.
6. The Government of Tamilnadu introduced Periyar Awards
to honour people who have rendered services for the
propagation of Periyar’s ideologies.

7. The Government of Tamilnadu has established Periyar

ninaivu Samathuvapurams (casteless township) in memory
of Periyar

8. The Government of Tamil Nadu passed an Act for equal

Property Rights to women.

The following Golden sayings of Peeriyar have been

inscribed on the pillars installed by the Government of
Tamilnadu Commemorating Periyar’s centenary in all districts
of Tamilnadu.

.1. Honour and wisdom are the hallmarks of mom

2. Rational approach is a cultured way of life.

3. Do not lose your intellect or reasoning ability by just

believing in fate.

4. The acquisition of education and knowledge is to live with

human quality without troubling others.

5. Teachers should not make their students as protagonists

of religious faith.

6. High degree of honesty, self – discipline, firmness and

sense of sacrifice are the pre – requisites of men public
life.

7. The ultimate goal of rationalism is communism.

8. A life of high morality is one, which causes no hindrance to

9. No man is born with caste identity.

10. To abolish unsociability caste should be eliminated.

11. Women are not properties of men to be possessed but

they are human beings like men.

12. Social revolution is a desideratum to achieve social justice.

13. To safeguard Humanity should be a lifetime service.

14. The arch – enemies of society are superstitions and

meaningless customer.

15. Alcoholism spoils morality as well as the reasoning ability

of the people.

16. Rationalism is nothing but discernment.

17. Life without piety loses nothing, but life without morality
loses everything.

18. Thirukkural is the intellectual treasure house of rationalism.

19. Art should not a domain scope for immorality and

superstition.

20. Everybody is entitled to freedom of expression and nobody

has the right to deny it.