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Socio-Religious Reform Movements in South India

Review Socio-Religious Reform Movements in South India using previous year trends.

Official Question UPSC 2025

Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A
According to the authentic historical records documented in Bipan Chandra's 'History of Modern India', the Self-Respect Movement was a defining socio-political awakening in South India.
•Foundation and Leadership: The movement was established in 1925 by E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker, respectfully known as Periyar.
•Core Ideology: As per the Tamil Nadu State Board History texts, Periyar sought to dismantle entrenched caste hierarchies and promote strict rationalism. The movement aimed to build a society with equal rights for marginalized, non-Brahmin communities.
•Methodology: The movement actively boycotted Brahmin priests in religious and marital ceremonies, pushing back against orthodox caste oppression to foster genuine social equality.

Quick Recall

E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker, known as Periyar, established the Self-Respect Movement in 1925. The movement aimed to eradicate caste-based oppression and secure equal rights for non-Brahmin communities.

Concept Flow Mapping

E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
Founded
Self-Respect Movement
Self-Respect Movement
Established In
1925
Self-Respect Movement
Fought Against
Caste Hierarchies

Concept Question

Who founded the 'Self-Respect Movement' in 1925?

Key Takeaway

'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker

Examiner's Trap

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is a strong distractor due to his monumental anti-caste work, but his focus was primarily pan-Indian and centered in Maharashtra. Jadhav and Javalkar were associated with the non-Brahmin movement in Maharashtra (Satyashodhak Samaj context), not Tamil Nadu.

Core Insight

Unlike upper-caste led reforms that focused on scriptural reinterpretation, this movement explicitly rejected Brahmanical texts and priesthood entirely.

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