Today is the 143rd birth anniversary of EV Ramaswamy, often known as Periyar, a renowned South Indian leader and the father of the DMK. He became well-known for his anti-Hinduism and anti-religious writings. While paying homage to him, his supporters used to call him ‘Periyar.'
EV Ramaswamy, well known as Periyar, was a senior South Indian politician. Leaders who shaped the politics of South Indian states to a great extent. Periyar celebrates his 139th birthday on September 17th. Periyar is mostly unknown among the younger generations in North India. Periyar, who is he? Not only did he reject traditional Hindutva throughout his life, but he was also opposed to Hindi being taught in schools. He also sought the creation of a separate Dravida Nadu. His politics were centred on the exploited Dalit people.
EV Ramaswamy was Periyar's actual name. He was a politician, social activist, and Tamil nationalist. While paying homage to him, his supporters used to call him 'Periyar.' Periyar is a Tamil word that signifies "holy spirit" or "respected person." He founded the'self-respect movement,' also known as the 'Dravidian movement.' Founded the Justice Party, afterwards known as 'Dravidar Kazhagam party.' Socrates of Asia was another name for him. Because of his beliefs, he was seen as a revolutionary and a rationalist. He came from a religious Hindu family, yet he was a strong opponent of Brahmanism. He not only lit Brahmin scriptures but he also regarded Ravana as a hero.
Periyar against ridiculous traditions of Hinduism
Erode Venkata Ramaswamy Naykar, who was born on September 17, 1879 in Erode, Tamil Nadu, always make fun of Hinduism's flaws. His father Venkatappa Naidu was a successful businessman. At home, there used to be always bhajan and kirtan. However, he had always questioned the authenticity of what was spoken in sermons since he was a youngster. He used to make fun of the epics and Puranas for their contradictory and ridiculous content. He was opposed to exploitation of women and Dalits, as well as child marriage, the devadasi system, and widow remarriage. He also refused to participate in the Hindu Varna system. In addition, he set fire to Hindu scriptures.
Kashi turned Periyar an atheist
He left home at the age of 15 due to a dispute with his father. He travelled to Kashi. As a result of what he witnessed in the name of religion, he became an atheist. He came back. He rose quickly and became head of his city's city council. He led the Congress' Vaikom movement in Kerala, which opposed the ban on Dalit movement on roads leading to temples.
Periyar joined the Congress and left soon
In 1919, he joined the Congress on the initiative of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. He was a member of the anti-cooperation movement and then arrested. He was elected President of the Madras Presidency Congress Committee in 1922. He quit the Congress party in 1925 when Congress did not approve his reservation proposal in government positions and education. He realised that this party was not for the Dalits.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Movement
He began a movement in favour of Dalits after leaving the Congress. In 1944, Periyar renamed his Justice Party to Dravida Kazhagam. As a result, the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) gained popularity. He kept his distance from politics. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Dalits and women throughout his life.
Periyar’s second marriage
Nagammai, his wife, died in the year 1933. He married for the second time after 15 years. He was 69 years old at the time, and his second wife was 30. There was also a quarrel about this in his party. His party's members urged him not to do so. Maniamai, his second wife, was Periyar's personal secretary. Periyar suggested that he should marry Maniamai because of the way she takes care of him. Resentment in his party grew as a result of this marriage.
On 24 December 1973, Periyar took his last breath.