Asiriyar Dr.K. Veeramani releases the book, “Why were Women Enslaved?” 50th Edition (Tamil)
at the Conference – Thanjavur – 21st February 2026.
At the State Conference of the Women’s Wing and Women’s Forum of the Dravidar Kazhagam held in Thanjavur on February 21, 2026, several historic resolutions were adopted.
The conference demanded:
l Enactment of the Self-Respect Marriage Act across India
l Recognition that the “Dravidian Model” government’s financial schemes for women are not freebies, but rights-based development schemes
l The right of women to become temple priests
l Nationwide dissemination of the book “Why were women enslaved”? by Thanthai Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, now released at a donation price of Rs. 20
l Immediate implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament
The conference was held at the Perarignar Anna Centenary Hall in Thanjavur under the leadership of Dravidar Kazhagam President Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani, with participation from thousands of women members, youth, and students across Tamil Nadu.
Below are the resolutions passed:
- Self-Respect Marriage Act – Implement Across India
The Self-Respect Marriage system introduced by Periyar is nearing its centenary. The Self-Respect Marriage amendment passed in 1967 during the tenure of Arignar Anna (C.N.Annadurai) continues to stand strong even after legal scrutiny in High Courts and the Supreme Court.
The movement and the marriage system are not limited to Tamil Nadu. The Union Government should amend the law to grant legal recognition to Self-Respect Marriages across India, enabling lakhs of secular and inter-caste marriages.
The conference urged removal of barriers such as the 30-day prior notice requirement in the Special Marriage Act to simplify caste-rejection and religion-rejection marriages.
- Thanks to the Chief Minister for Constituting a Commission on Arrogant Killing Prevention
The conference thanked the Tamil Nadu Government and the Chief Minister for forming a commission headed by retired Justice K.N. Basha to examine legislation to prevent arrogant killings.
The resolution emphasized that preventing adult women from choosing their life partners, threatening or attacking inter-caste or inter-religious couples, and committing murder in the name of honour must be treated as grave crimes.
The conference also demanded:
l Strict punishment for perpetrators and accomplices
l Similar laws in other states
l Establishment of government protection centres in every district for inter-caste couples
- Punish the Epstein Criminals
The conference condemned the global sexual exploitation crimes associated with Jeffrey Epstein and others. It stressed that no political bias should interfere in investigations and that anyone involved must be punished.
Allowing such individuals to roam freely normalizes heinous crimes and endangers future generations.
- Condemn Attempts to Undermine Women’s Rights Schemes
Tamil Nadu is a model state in women’s development. Reservation policies, financial incentives, healthcare, education, and employment schemes have enabled women to excel in all fields.
The conference condemned attempts to belittle these schemes as “freebies” and criticized efforts to legally challenge or obstruct women’s rights entitlements.
It also criticized statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the women’s free bus travel scheme and urged women to reject forces attempting to undermine the Dravidian Model of social justice.
- Do Not Dilute the 100-Day Employment Scheme
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has ensured equal wages for men and women and strengthened rural economies.
The conference accused the Union Government of replacing the name of Mahatma Gandhi, with VB – G RAM G weakening the scheme and demanded restoration of its core features and respect for its original spirit and name.
- Immediately Implement 33 per cent Political Reservation for Women
Tamil Nadu implemented 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, later increasing it to 50 per cent under the regime of the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
However, the 106th Constitutional Amendment providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament has not yet been implemented due to uncertain conditions tied to census and delimitation.
The conference insisted that reservation must be implemented immediately without delay.
- Ensure Women’s Safety
Women’s safety must be guaranteed in homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
While Tamil Nadu has comparatively lower crimes against women, other parts of India report alarming statistics, including rising sexual violence and missing persons cases.
The resolution emphasized:
l The shared responsibility of government, society, and parents
l Raising girls with equality values
l Empowering women economically and socially to strengthen their resilience
- Appoint Women as Temple Priests
Periyar fought against caste discrimination in priesthood appointments. Recent reforms in Tamil Nadu have enabled people from all castes to become priests.
The conference argued that gender discrimination is another form of birth-based inequality. Women are denied entry into sanctums citing menstruation and ritual purity.
It demanded:
l Equal opportunity for women, including believers, to train in Agamas
l Appointment of women as temple priests
l Ending gender-based exclusion in places of worship
- Centenary of the Women’s Rights Charter – “Why were women enslaved?”
The book “Why were women enslaved?” by Periyar, first compiled in 1933 from articles published beginning in 1926, remains a foundational feminist text.
It has been translated into 21 languages during the present DMK government and is now released as a special 50th edition by the Periyar Self-Respect Propaganda Institution at a donation price of Rs. 20.
The conference resolved to:
l Conduct seminars, discussions, and competitions
l Circulate lakhs of copies
l Take the message of women’s rights to crores of people
