Dr. K. Veeramani
President, Dravidar Kazhagam
The Students Union of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai conducted “Periyar Memorial Lecture 2023” on 6th April 2023 via Zoom. The theme was ‘Self-Respect Movement and Social Revolution’.
Periyar Memorial lecture is organised annually by TISS to honour Periyar E.V.Ramasamy and to celebrate his ideals like social justice, anti-caste system, feminist thought and humanism. This year Asiriyar K.Veeramani was invited to deliver a special lecture on the topic ‘Self-Respect Movement and Social Revolution’. The excerpts from his speech continue from the previous issue:
Related articles
Dear friends, I deem this a great opportunity to meet and exchange our ideas online, since I could not attend the event in person. I would like to share my views on ‘Self-Respect Movement and Social Revolution’. In fact, this social revolution started in Tamil Nadu nearly 100 years ago; in 1925 to be more specific, as Self-Respect Movement by the great revolutionary Thanthai Periyar.
Human spittoons
Long ago in Maharashtra, the low caste people were not allowed to chew betel nuts or tobacco and spit in public places as others were doing. They had to wear a coconut shell strung to a cord around the neck and use it as spittoon. It was believed that the saliva of the low caste men and women caused pollution. I would have asked those fanatics, “If upper caste people spit in public places, will it not cause pollution?”
Blood sucking leeches
Fanatics thus justify their superstitions and blind beliefs by offering illogical explanations. Only by social justice such atrocities can be stifled. That made Periyar start the Self-Respect Movement to serve people set right things. When he was in the Congress he tried to pass resolutions in every conference for the communal representation of the downtrodden people but the Congress members, a majority of whom belonged to upper castes, did not extend support. They were against reservations. From 1920 to 1925, for five long years the resolutions of Periyar were being defeated. Periyar was vexed and realised bargaining with the Congress representatives was of no use. He called them blood sucking leeches and once said, “They suck blood. We can’t expect blood from them. Are we to get blood donation from leeches? They are like carnivorous wolves. They can never be transformed as herbivorous.” Therefore, Periyar quit the Congress and started the Self-Respect Movement.
A long term battle
In other countries of the world, the problems are of removing income inequality, need for equal distribution of economic wealth and power. In India our issues are related to weeding out the outdated social system, freeing people from the tyranny of caste and loosening the bonds of custom, tradition and superstition which kept them under subjugation and to prepare them to fight for a just social order. The caste system resulted in gross unjust discrimination and inequality in society. We can get out of this quagmire only by the eradication of castes and the demolition of the very notion of caste, that strains our mind. It is a long-time battle, indeed, but are we to keep losing our rights till such time?
The need for unlearning
Fanatics say that caste system was ordained by God and that it is not “man-made”. They threaten us that we would be roasted alive in hell if we question it. Periyar called it anti-human. He used to say,
“If your religion supports the aggressive unjustifiable caste system, I denounce such a religion. If your god supports such a religion, I shall denounce your god too!”
Periyar used public platforms to stir the emotions of people. C.N.Annadurai, fondly called ‘Arignar Anna’ was the first Chief Minister in Dravidian Model governance. He considered Periyar his mentor. He too used to speak for hours together educating the people. He used to say that unlearning is as important as learning. He said that superstitions and outdated ideas must be unlearned. In the initial stages, Periyar had to face severe resistance from gullible people. They used to hurl footwear, stones and rotten eggs at him. But he used to cover himself with a shawl and go on delivering his speech. Most of the ideals, policies and principles which were not accepted in the early stages, they are accepted gladly today. The government of Tamil Nadu headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has been making most of Periyar’s dreams come true.
Women’s empowerment
Periyar used to say, “I am not asking for much freedom and privileges for women. Give them the same privileges granted to men”. He took his fight from equality for women to the next stage – “Women empowerment”. He voiced for property rights to women by an enactment.
Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was a five year old boy in 1929 when Periyar held the first Self-Respect Conference in Chengalpet near Chennai. When the same Kalaignar later became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the State authorised him to declare property rights for women. This was not possible during the life time of Ambedkar though he tried his level best. Women’s right to property was not recognised by them. The Sanatanists opposed Ambedkar. Fed up with the opponents, Ambedkar resigned his post as the Minister for Law.
Transformation of Power
The so-called freedom was only a transformation of power according to Thanthai Periyar. He was not satisfied with it. He wanted eradication of social slavery. He stressed that the social stigma can be removed only by social transformation. Transfer of power was only a political transfer according to him. Only power is being transferred from one person to another; one oppressor is replaced by another oppressor; one master replaced by another master. What we need is social transformation.
Everything for everybody
In 1921, the Justice Party was the first party to help women getting voting rights. After the life time of Periyar, when the DMK allied with the UPA government at the Centre, it was resolved in 2006 that women should have equal rights in property and it was accorded legal sanction.
We are not able to get resolutions passed in the Parliament even after 75 years of achieving independence. We have to get 50 per cent reservation for women who are half of our population. Merely 1/3rd has been granted in Tamil Nadu which is just 33 per cent. Periyar used to insist on 50 per cent throughout his life. He also used to stress, “Everything for everybody”. In simple Tamil we keep saying
“aṉaivarukkum aṉaittum’’
But some of the toxic forces today cling to their own policy “Something for somebody”. They mean to say only they are entitled for all the benefits and privileges. It is undeniably social injustice. This kind of domination and masterly aggressiveness must be curbed.
Movement for rationality
More than a movement for equality and fraternity, the social justice movement is for rationality. If we have rationality we can be empowered to question everything boldly. Rational outlook would embolden us. Men should freely think, ask and arrive at a conclusion. Questioning spirit is essential. Scientific temper is inevitable. We have marvelous technological advancement today. You are all at this moment in Mumbai. I am able to address you from Chennai. Did rishis and sages make it possible? Scientific temper has made it possible. It is adumbrated in our Constitution itself that every citizen of India should imbibe spirit of inquiry, scientific temper, humanism and reform. We are practicing it now at least to some extent.
Periyar an armoury
More than in any other period in the past, social justice and self-respect are more relevant to us today. Periyar is not just a philosophy. He is a great source. We need him forever. He is like a great armoury. We should use it to fight for eradication of superstitions and all discriminations. We need that armoury to fight for human rights. This is my humble view dear friends.
Periyar used to say in every public meeting, “Don’t believe in me blindly. Use your reason. If you accept me follow me. Convince me if you feel I am wrong. If you realise you were wrong, convert yourself and follow me”. I remember every word of his as I used to accompany him at all times as his ardent and dedicated disciple.
Some people used to tell Periyar, “What you say is good, but ………….”. Periyar advised people to avoid “but”, in order to become complete human being. He said, unless and until human rights are preserved, followed and practised, we can never become real human beings. Can we be judged by our degrees or by our dress? We are judged only by our self respect.
A friend indeed
Periyar used to discuss nationalism, humanism, etiquette and behaviour. He used to cite an example thus: “My neighbour does not want to see me because I belong to the unapproachable caste; unseeable caste. He runs away fearing he may be polluted. But a foreigner visits India from a distance of several thousand kilometers and gives me a warm handshake. He says “Hello” with a genuine smile – not a fake one. He asks “How do you do?” When I reciprocate with “Hello… How do you do?” he is delighted. Now tell me, whom would I consider my friend? This foreigner or my moron, indifferent neighbour?” Periyar used to say further, “Though he is a foreigner he sees a human being in me. Even cats and dogs cuddle one another and show love and intimacy. But our own brothers and sisters in society stay away from me and from one another too. Blame it on the Varnashrama Dharma and the caste system which has not yet relieved us all. Is it not the right time to annihilate them all?”
Take diversion
Dear friends, let us all strive collectively to create a casteless society. There is only economic disparity in foreign countries. Recently the export of caste system to those countries has begun. Birth-based disparity would be here probably till we breathe our last. We do not have even a common graveyard or crematorium. Caste never dies. It haunts us forever, – in whatever manner we pass away. We are born with caste; live with caste and die with caste.
Between social justice and social injustice, a bridge is to be constructed. Till the casteless society is formed like a bridge we have to take diversion, which is in other words “reservation”. You may ask, “How long are we to keep taking diversions?” My answer is this: “As long as the bridge gets constructed perfectly.” Thank you dear friends for this great opportunity to express my views.”
Question hour
During the question hour that followed Asiriyar’s speech a male student asked Asiriyar,
“You deny god’s existence. But most people in rural belts depend on their faith in god. Can’t we allow them to be theists?”
Asiriyar replied thus: “Urban gods or rural gods is not a moot point. One evil can’t be substituted by another evil. A village goddess Mariamman is anointed with toddy and liquor. A non-Brahmin priest is called “Poosari” but a Brahmin priest is called “Archaka”. Think deeply about all such disparities.”
“At a temple near Karaikal, buffaloes were being killed as an offering to god. We protested against animal sacrifice. Our Dravidar Kazhagam prevented it. Hence, we have to fight tooth and nail against all the irrational practices and superstitions. People in remote villages can’t be exempted from social reformation. Periyar never used to differentiate between urban gods and rural deities (죘 ªîŒõƒèœ). Rational outlook is essential for all – urban as well as rural citizens. Every irrational person on earth is to be reformed, whether he lives in cities or in villages. I hope you are convinced by my reply. You must infer what I imply.”
