The Women’s Wing of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and the Dravidian Women’s Barrack jointly organised a discussion meet on 11th May, 2025, at Periyar Thidal, Chennai. Several issues were discussed and nine Resolutions were proposed, seconded and unanimously accepted by the members of both the wings. The Resolutions were as follows, in a nutshell.
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Women’s education crisis
Thanthai Periyar fought throughout his life time for women’s education and empowerment but today it is threatened by certain undesirable moves by the Union Government and the Ministry for Education. The NEET and the New Education Policy (NEP) are detrimental to women’s education. The CBSE has decided to discontinue promoting students of Class 5 and 8 to the next classes. Unless they pass their public exams. This would affect especially the education of girl students. The number of drop outs is likely to be on the rise. It is hence RESOLVED to seek the guidance of our Asiriyar and start protesting against these harmful moves of the administrators concerned. The Women’s Wing and the Women’s Barrack would jointly strive to get this grievance redressed by agitating in a peaceful manner. The advice of our Asiriyar is solicited by us.
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Crimes against women
In schools, colleges and public places crimes against women are on the rise. Brutal attacks, molestation and sexual offences have become a matter of grave concern. Teachers and students must be explained about the POCSO law and the law for prevention of family offences etc; measures for the safety of women must increase. It is hence RESOLVED by our Women’s Wing and Barrack to begin work to accomplish this task. All the members of the Women’s Wings should train a group of members and organise awareness camps, conferences and propaganda tours to make people realise the importance of curbing all sorts of crimes against women.
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Self-defense Training
Our women excel in sports, arts and cultural activities but they mostly need techniques to defend themselves. Right from primary level of education, girl students must be taught how to defend themselves in difficult situations. Martial arts including ‘Silambam’ should be learned by them. It is RESOLVED to urge the Government of Tamil Nadu and all the parents to ensure the safety of women. On our part, awareness meetings would be held besides self-defense training.
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Science based Sex Education
Thanthai Periyar led his life with scientific spirit and forethoughts about the
World to Come. At this moment of crisis in society our girls need science based sex education. We need a curriculum that can prevent crimes against women by raising awareness. Child welfare activists, eminent scholars, academicians and educationists should decide what sort of lessons could be useful for our girl students. Legal experts can also come out with suggestions for a science based sex education for women. Mental Health experts can also advise remedial measures. It is RESOLVED to urge the Government of Tamil Nadu to devise suitable schemes to impart this kind of special education to women through studies in schools and colleges. Sexual offences in educational campus can be curbed to some extent even through educational innovations. We urge our Asiriyar to guide us in this regard.
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Arrogance – Killing horror
The evil Manudharma denies women the right to choose their life-partner. Even in this modern era of Science and technology, arrogant people kill the couple who opt for intercaste and self-respect marriages. Communal fanatics mercilessly kill people who discard castes and get married. Such Arrogance – Killing incidents are on the rise in Tamil Nadu. Love marriages are being protested against. Young couples are brutally murdered by their own parents and relatives. This cruelty should be stopped by enacting a law. Our Asiriyar has been insisting on this but the problem remains unsolved. It is RESOLVED to urge our Dravidian Model Government of Tamil Nadu to set a precedent by enacting a law to curb this atrocity. Crimes could be prevented by adherence to the guidelines of the Supreme Court. Our Women’s wing and the Barrack have decided to strive vigorously to stop such Arrogance – Killings. We await Asiriyar’s advice to proceed further.
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Annihilating Superstitions
It is a pity that generally our womenfolk are largely behind several superstitious activities. Our male-dominated society makes use of women in order to conserve their outdated religious beliefs and caste fanaticism. Women should realise this exploitation and say a firm ‘NO’ to all sorts of superstitious rituals and customs. They must stop getting used as devices to spread superstitions. Literate women must raise their voice of protest. Thanthai Periyar was hailed as the sun of Rationalism. On his land, irrationalism should not exist. Hence, it is RESOLVED to urge the Dravidian Model Government of Tamil Nadu to abolish superstitions by enacting a law. Scientific temper and the spirit of enquiry should prevail all over the state. Our Women’s wing and the Women’s Barrack decide to propagate our views in all the rural belts and create awareness in the minds of women. We shall chalk out other measures too to annihilate superstitions. We seek the advice of our Asiriyar to make us move on the right direction and achieve success in our mission.
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Women’s Representation in the Parliament
The Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) has been insisting for a long period on increasing the representation of women in the Parliament. Thanthai Periyar wanted women to play a vital role in politics. We have been striving to achieve success in this issue. The ground work has been already done but our efforts are yet to be fructified. We have also been demanding 33 per cent Reservation for women in the Parliament but the BJP Government does not seem to be bothered about the welfare and emancipation of women. By offering unconvincing explanations and evasive answers, the Union Government has been inactive, keeping the issue in abeyance. It is RESOLVED to urge the Union Government to grant 33 per cent Reservation for women in the Parliament. Let it not continue to be an obstacle any longer. We also request the Dravidian Model Government of Tamil Nadu to persuade the BJP Government to implement it as early as possible.
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Delimitation problem
The strategy of the Union Government to reduce the constituencies for Tamil Nadu through delimitation process must be curbed at any cost. Increasing the rate of the birth of children is a ridiculous solution. Tamil Nadu should not be penalised for its productive action towards control of state population. By the impact of Periyar thought, people wisely planned their families. This has inturn made our women reap numerous benefits. We should not be punished for our wisdom. Hence, it is RESOLVED to urge the Union Government, not to reduce the constituencies of Tamil Nadu under the pretext of Delimitation exercise. The Women’s Wing and the Women’s Barrack request the BJP Government to give up its strategic move. We shall continue stressing this by collective efforts.
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Women’s Safety in trains
Women passengers travelling in unreserved compartments face inexplicable discomfort and difficulties. These coaches should be somewhere in the middle rather than at the rear end. The number of compartments meant only for ladies should also be increased. At every railway station and bus terminus and the areas in proximity, police booths must function throughout the day and night. It is RESOLVED to urge the Union Government and the State Government to take steps to accomplish this task. The safety of women in trains should be given top priority.
