Periyar E. V. Ramasamy

Born On: September 17, 1879
Born In: Erode, Coimbatore district, India
Died On: December 24, 1973, Career: Politician, Businessman, Social Activist
Nationality: Indian
E V Ramasamy, or Periyar as he is better known of, was one of the most inspiring politicians and activists that India had ever seen. Having experienced vices such as discrimination and exploitation at a very young age, Periyar had committed his life to social work. He is best known for leading the movement to the creation of the state of South India or Dravidasthan. E V Ramasamy fought for the establishment of principles such as equality of castes and sexes, a realisation of fundamental rights for women and an end to the exploitation of the non-Brahmin Dravidians of South India. Periyar was always against the Brahmins in the Tamil society, often making controversial statements about them. He was also responsible for introducing several changes in the Tamil alphabet and the language in general.

Early Years In Politics
 Periyar joined the Indian National Congress in the year 1919, only to quit his post six years later in 1925 when he felt that the INC was not a democratic organisation, supporting only the Brahmins of the society. Before joining the INC, Periyar had quit his father's business and all other service positions that he was holding. As part of the Congress Party, E V Ramasamy became the chairman of the Erode Municipality and fought extensively for the use of khadi and the boycott of foreign cloth. He also spoke out vehemently against untouchability. The British administration got him arrested in order to kerb his efforts. But not to be stopped by anything, Periyar took an active part in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Temperance Movement in 1921-1922.

After Political Life
 In the year 1925, Periyar launched the Self-Respect Movement. This movement was started to allow the lower classes of the society gain the rights that the privileged enjoyed. While most activists fought for independence from the British, Periyar was more concerned about the establishment of equality in society. Periyar said that even the non-Brahmins have much to rejoice about because of their Dravidian history. The Self-Respect Movement also stood for doing away with exploitation in the name of religion. Periyar was an atheist, and though he did not have any problem with people practising the religion of their choice, he protested against meaningless customs and ceremonies associated with religion. Periyar also advocated for widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage and the end of child marriage through the Self-Respect Movement. A school that taught its students the methods and usefulness of the Self-Respect Movement was opened in Erode, the birthplace of Periyar.