UPSC Prelims 2025 Q78: Founder of the Self-Respect Movement Explained
Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?
- 'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
- Bhaskarrao Jadhav
- Dinkarrao Javalkar
Answer: (a) 'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
Statement-wise explanation
- a: correct — E. V. Ramasamy 'Periyar' (1879–1973) left the Congress in 1925 and launched the Self-Respect Movement (Suyamariyathai Iyakkam) in the Madras Presidency that year. He spread its ideas through his Tamil weekly Kudi Arasu, also started in 1925. The movement attacked caste hierarchy, Brahmin priestly control and the subordination of women. It later grew into the Dravidar Kazhagam (1944).
- b: incorrect — Dr. B. R. Ambedkar led the anti-caste struggle in the Bombay Presidency. He founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha in 1924 and led the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927. He shared Periyar's goals but did not found the Self-Respect Movement, which was a Tamil movement.
- c: incorrect — Bhaskarrao Jadhav (1867–1950) was a leader of the Satyashodhak Samaj, the society founded by Jyotiba Phule. He led it from 1920 and was a leader of the non-Brahmin movement in Maharashtra. He had no role in founding the Tamil Self-Respect Movement.
- d: incorrect — Dinkarrao Javalkar (1898–1932) was a young non-Brahmin radical from Pune. He is known for Deshache Dushman ('Enemies of the Country'), a book attacking Tilak and Chiplunkar, which he wrote with Keshavrao Jedhe's backing. His work was in Maharashtra, not in the Tamil Self-Respect Movement.
How to eliminate
This is a pure recall question. It turns on one fact: Periyar founded the Self-Respect Movement in 1925. The options still help. Three of the four names are Maharashtra anti-caste leaders: Ambedkar, Jadhav and Javalkar. Jadhav and Javalkar both belong to the Satyashodhak and non-Brahmin movement of the Bombay Presidency. Periyar is the only Tamil reformer listed, and the Self-Respect Movement is a Tamil and Dravidian movement. If you can place the movement in the Madras Presidency, three options drop out. Remember the pair: Self-Respect Movement, 1925, Periyar, Kudi Arasu.
Know more
The Self-Respect Movement (1925)
Periyar joined the Congress in 1919. He took part in the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25) in Travancore, which earned him the title Vaikom Veerar. He left the Congress in 1925. Two disputes drove him out: the Cheranmadevi gurukulam, where Brahmin and non-Brahmin students were fed separately, and the party's refusal to back communal (caste-based) representation. Late in 1925 he launched the Self-Respect Movement. His weekly Kudi Arasu (1925) carried its message. S. Ramanathan helped organise the movement, but Periyar led it and gave it its ideas.
Core ideas
- Rationalism; rejection of caste and of Brahmin priests in rituals
- Self-respect marriages: no priest, inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage
- Women's rights: property, divorce, birth control
- Opposition to the imposition of Hindi (anti-Hindi agitation, 1937–39)
Line of descent
| Year | Organisation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1916–17 | Justice Party (South Indian Liberal Federation) | Non-Brahmin party in the Madras Presidency |
| 1925 | Self-Respect Movement | Founded by Periyar |
| 1944 | Dravidar Kazhagam | Justice Party and Self-Respect Movement merged under Periyar |
| 1949 | DMK | C. N. Annadurai broke away from the DK |
Similar movements elsewhere (frequent UPSC distractors)
| Movement | Region | Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) | Maharashtra | Jyotiba Phule; later Bhaskarrao Jadhav |
| SNDP Yogam (1903) | Kerala | Sree Narayana Guru |
| Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924) | Bombay | B. R. Ambedkar |
| Self-Respect Movement (1925) | Madras | Periyar |
In the news
The Self-Respect Movement was founded in 1925, so 2025 was its centenary year. The Vaikom Satyagraha centenary (1924–25) also kept Periyar in public discussion before the exam.
NCERT Concepts to Revise
- Self-Respect Movement: The question asks who started this 1925 movement, so knowing its origin and aims is the whole test.
- Periyar: This Tamil reformer is one of the four names; his career shows which region and movement he belongs to.
- Non-Brahman movement: Three names belong to non-Brahmin or anti-caste movements; this entry helps you separate the Tamil and Maharashtra strands.
- Justice Party: The Justice Party was the political wing of non-Brahmin politics in the Madras Presidency, the region where the movement arose.
- Dravidian movement: The Dravidian movement grew out of this 1925 movement, which helps you place it in Tamil country.
- Vaikom satyagraha 1924-25: The 1924–25 Vaikom protest came just before one of the listed leaders broke with the Congress.