Self-Respect Movement
Topic: Regional Aspirations: J&K, Punjab, the North-East and Accommodation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 7 "Regional Aspirations"
Meaning
The Self-Respect Movement was started in 1925 by E.V. Ramasami "Periyar". It fought the caste hierarchy (the ranking of people by birth) and the dominance of Brahmins in Tamil society. It promoted reason, human dignity and a Dravidian identity. Along with the Justice Party, it laid the base of the Dravidian movement.
Example
In 1944 Periyar drew on the Self-Respect and Justice Party traditions to found the Dravidar Kazhagam. That organisation later gave birth to the DMK in 1949.
Don't confuse with
- Dravidar Kazhagam (DK): the organisation Periyar founded in 1944. The Self-Respect Movement (1925) came first and was one of its roots.