Periyar - The Crusader

Periyar, whose real name was E.V. Ramasamy, was a prominent Indian social reformer and political leader who dedicated his life to eradicating caste discrimination in India, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu. He founded the Self-Respect Movement, which aimed to challenge the dominance of the Brahmin caste and promote social justice for all.

Here are some of the key strategies Periyar employed to combat caste discrimination:

1. Awareness and Education:

• Public Lectures and Writings: Periyar was a prolific writer and speaker, delivering numerous lectures and publishing articles to raise awareness about the harmful effects of the caste system. He exposed the discriminatory practices and exposed the false claims of superiority made by the upper castes.
• Promoting Rational Thinking: Periyar encouraged people to question traditional beliefs and superstitions that perpetuated caste discrimination. He promoted scientific thinking and critical analysis to challenge the irrational foundations of the caste system.

2. Challenging Religious Authority:

• Criticizing Hindu Orthodoxy: Periyar was a vocal critic of Hindu orthodoxy, which he believed reinforced caste hierarchies. He exposed the discriminatory practices within Hindu rituals and customs.
• Promoting Self-Respect: Periyar emphasized the importance of self-respect and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their caste. He encouraged people to reject the demeaning treatment they received due to their caste.

3. Social Reforms:

• Inter-Caste Marriages: Periyar strongly advocated for inter-caste marriages as a powerful tool to break down caste barriers. He organized several inter-caste marriages to challenge the traditional norms and encourage social mixing.
• Promoting Women's Rights: Periyar was a strong advocate for women's rights and equality. He fought against practices like child marriage and sati (widow immolation) and promoted women's education and empowerment.
• Challenging Caste-Based Discrimination: Periyar led numerous protests and agitations against discriminatory practices like untouchability and segregation in public places. He fought for equal access to education, employment, and public facilities for all. 

4. Political Activism:

• Self-Respect Movement: Periyar founded the Self-Respect Movement to mobilize people against caste discrimination and to demand social and political reforms. 
• Dravidian Movement: Periyar's ideas and activism significantly influenced the Dravidian movement, which advocated for the rights of Dravidian people and challenged the dominance of Aryan culture. 

Periyar's relentless efforts and sacrifices have had a lasting impact on Indian society, particularly in Tamil Nadu. His ideas continue to inspire social justice movements and his legacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against caste discrimination.