(This is the address of the Chief Guest, Asiriyar
Dr.K.Veeramani at the inaugural session of the
International Conference on Hundred years – of
Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement : Legacy, Lessons &
Future path held at Don Bosco Institute of Technology,
New Deli – 110 024, on 19th March 2026)
Our respected Chief Guest, Professor N. Sukumar, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, and other participants and dignitaries on the dais and off the dais. Vanakkam, good morning, and namaste.
It is my privilege and honour to welcome you all to this historic seminar celebrating the centenary of the Self-Respect Movement—the international conference on 100 Years of the Self-Respect Movement:
Legacy, Lessons, and the Future Path.
These 100 years of the Self-Respect Movement make it a very unique movement in the history of the world. There have been many humanist movements started long ago, but this particular movement proudly carries the title Self-Respect Movement. Self-respect is a philosophy mainly sought by human beings. Unless and until the feeling and concept of self-respect are realised, no society can live with dignity and honour. That is why this movement is truly remarkable.
The founder of the Self-Respect Movement, Thanthai Periyar E.V.Ramasamy, named it so 100 years ago. This itself denotes that only people with dignity and honour should live in society. There should be no place for slavery in thought or in action, and no place for inequality or insult to any individual. Society must live as brothers and sisters, forming a dignified and unified community.
As the ancient Tamil poet said long ago, “Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir”—all places are ours, and all people are our kith and kin. This spirit of human camaraderie, love, and affection must always prevail in a good society.
The Self-Respect Movement aimed at creating a new society—one that had been completely tarnished by the imposition of caste and Varnashrama Dharma. Whether supported by religion, God, Puranas, Ithikasas, law, or any other force, the movement stood firm against all these and moved towards a single ideology: equality and empowerment of the depressed and downtrodden. Be it male or female, there should be no discrimination.
Indian society, unfortunately, is notorious for its caste system. Through caste, discrimination has always existed. In short, the evil of the caste system was—and continues to be—responsible for the dehumanisation of a vast majority of our people. Under the shame of caste and Varnashram Dharma,the so-called high castes enjoyed all privileges and monopolised education, economic power, and bureaucratic opportunities. The sons and daughters of the soil were denied their legitimate right to live with equality and dignity.
That is why Thanthai Periyar gave the maxim “Manamum Arivum Manidharukku Azhagu”— dignity and rationality are the defining features of human beings and must always guide society.
Although the movement began in Tamil Nadu, it was never confined to it. One of its core goals is the creation of a casteless society. Caste dehumanises people, even though they are citizens of this country. There exists graded inequality, as very rightly pointed out by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Periyar and Ambedkar are two sides of the same coin. Both stood firmly for a casteless society founded on equality. Equality is the first step; empowerment is the next. Together, equality and empowerment form the foundation of social justice. Over these remarkable 100 years, the movement has accepted challenges and brought about transformative change. Educational opportunities, once denied to the depressed, downtrodden, oppressed people, and women, were fought for and secured. Education for all, employment for all, proportional representation, and social justice became central demands. The flag of social justice continues to fly high.
As rightly pointed out by one of the great lieutenants of the Self-Respect and Dravidian movements, and the first Dravidian Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the late and lamented Anna (C.N. Annadurai), Periyar’s work was “putting centuries into a capsule.” He brought about a revolutionary change in society.
The movement fought not only for the abolition and eradication of caste and gender discrimination, but also for the empowerment of the depressed and downtrodden. Untouchability itself is a result of the caste system. Therefore, abolishing untouchability alone is meaningless without eradicating caste. Even our Constitution assures only the abolition of untouchability, not caste eradication. That is what Periyar fought for.
The demand to socialise the Archaka system was also rooted in equality. Promoting scientific temper and eliminating superstition through rational thought remain core aims of the movement. Spreading educational opportunities to everyone—everything to everybody—once and for all, is the philosophy of the Self-Respect Movement.
That is why its legacy continues. What began in Tamil Nadu has now been globalised, and the world itself is being Periyarised. Over these 100 years, many denied rights have been secured, and culture and language have been protected. There is no hatred towards any language, but the movement has always opposed discrimination and imposition of any kind. Any forced imposition must be resisted to ensure freedom of thought.
The Self-Respect Movement stands for free thinking, equality, empowerment, and opportunity for all. It strives to create a new world. This legacy is being carried forward by the Dravidian Model of governance, which began with the Justice Party 110 years ago. Later, the Dravidian Movement came to power, and under the inspiring leadership of Anna— C.N.Annadurai—followed by Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the mantle was carried forward.
Today, Chief Minister Mr. M. K. Stalin continues this battle, winning many laurels. Yet, even after many victories, the war is not over. The war against superstition, caste, bigotry, and opposition to social justice continues.
I congratulate and appreciate all those who have come forward to celebrate this historic conference. This is one of the greatest moments to be recorded in history. The future belongs to a new society founded on self-respect.
Congratulations and greetings. I wish you all every success.
