19.

Self-Respect Movement
Though the term “Self-Respect” appears simple and clear, its depth and breadth cannot
be confined within a single definition.
— M.K. Reddy

19.1 Periyar E.V. Ramasamy: Life Sketch

(1879–1973)
19.1.1 Early Life (1879–1919)
Erode Venkata Ramasamy (E.V.R.) was born on 17 September 1879 in Erode to
Venkataappa Naicker and Chinnathayammal.
He belonged to the wealthy and influential Balija Naicker community (of Karnataka
origin).

• He studied in a traditional veranda school and elementary school.

• He discontinued formal education at the age of 12.
• He assisted in his father’s trading business (mandi shop).
• At the age of 19, he married Nagammal (1898), who was 13 years old, from Salem
Natham Patti.
• At the age of 25, he left home, travelled to Kashi and Calcutta, and later returned to
Erode and resumed business (1904).

While being a businessman:

1. He developed interest in the Indian National Congress.

2. Participated in Congress conferences.
3. Served as Chairman of Erode Municipality.

Later:

• He resigned from municipal and honorary posts.

 • Joined Congress formally.
• Took active part in the Indian freedom struggle (1919).

19.1.2 Congress Activist (1919–1925)

After joining Congress:

• He fully supported the Non-Cooperation Movement.

• At the Tirunelveli Congress session, he introduced a Communal Representation
Resolution.
• Led liquor shop picketing in Erode.
• Implemented Gandhi’s constructive programme sincerely.
• Cut down hundreds of coconut trees in his grove at Thathampatti.
• Actively propagated khadi.

Further:

• Again introduced communal representation resolution at Thanjavur Congress

(1921).
• Imprisoned for participation in liquor shop agitation (1922).

Key positions:

1. Elected President of Tamil Nadu Congress (1923).

2. First non-Brahmin to hold that post.

Major actions in 1924:

• Participated in Vaikom Satyagraha (Kerala) against untouchability → imprisoned

twice → earned title “Vaikom Veerar”.
• Spoke strongly for communal representation at Tiruvannamalai Congress.
• Condemned discrimination in Cheranmahadevi Gurukulam.

Also:

• Supported Justice Party’s Hindu Religious Endowment Act.

Final break:
 • On 25 Nov 1925 (Kanchipuram Congress), his communal representation
resolution was rejected.
• He and his followers left Congress.

After leaving:

• He called Congress a “communal organisation dominated by Brahmins.”

19.1.3 Self-Respect & Social Equality Phase (1925–1938)

Called “Rousseau of Tamil Nadu”

After leaving Congress:

• Engaged in social reform experiments.

• Opposed Hindi policy of Congress.
• Conducted Non-Brahmin Conference at Madurai (1926).
• Rejected Gandhi’s constructive programme.
• Met Gandhi in Bangalore (1927) and debated anti-Brahmin ideology.
• Participated in Nagapattinam labour agitation → imprisoned.
• Supported Simon Commission.
• Propagated Buddhist ideas.
• Dropped caste title from his name.
• In 1927, lawyer P. Chidambaram Pillai first called him “Periyar” → name became
popular.

Key events:

• 17–18 Feb 1929, Chengalpattu → First Self-Respect Conference → formal launch of

movement.
• Travelled to Malaya (Malaysia) with wife Nagammal → propagated movement →
started growing beard.

Later developments:

• Founded rationalist associations.

• Conducted conferences:
 o Erode (1930)
o Virudhunagar (1931)
• Travelled across Europe (1932) → became socialist (Samadharma advocate).
• Imprisoned for socialist propaganda (1933).
• Justice Party accepted his Samadharma Plan (1935) → he supported the party.
• Started “Pagutharivu” (Rationalism) journal.
• Campaigned for Justice Party in 1937 elections → but party lost.
• Congress won → Rajaji became Chief Minister.
• Opposed introduction of Hindi in schools → imprisoned.
• While in Bellary jail → elected leader of Justice Party.
• Tamil Nadu Women’s Conference declared he should always be called “Periyar”.

19.1.4 Leader of Justice Party (1938–1944)

As leader:

• Transformed Justice Party into a social reform movement.

Major ideas:

• Raised demand for Dravidian Nation (Dravida Nadu).

• Met:
o Sir Stafford Cripps (1939)
o Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1940) (Ambedkar also present)
• Spoke at Tiruvarur Conference (1940).
• Refused ministership even when Rajaji requested.

Slogans:

• “Tamil Nadu for Tamils”

Organisational changes:

• Renamed non-Brahmin organisations gradually as Dravidar Kazhagam (1941).

• Refused to form ministry (1942).

Final step:
 • On 27 Aug 1944 (Salem) → Justice Party officially renamed as Dravidar Kazhagam.

19.1.5 Leader of Dravidar Kazhagam (1944–1973)

Symbols & structure:

• Flag changed to black background with red circle.

• Formed Black Shirt Volunteers (1945).

Actions:

• Opposed Constituent Assembly structure (1946).

• Declared 15 Aug 1947 as “Day of Mourning” for Dravidians.
• Opposed North Indians as governors.
• Intensified anti-Hindi movement.
• Married Maniammai (1949) → caused split.

Split:

• C.N. Annadurai formed DMK.

End:

• Continued activism until death.

• Died on 24 Dec 1973, aged 94.

19.2 Self-Respect Movement (1925–1935)

19.2.1 Introduction
• Started after leaving Congress (1925).
• Reason: rejection of communal representation demand.

Periyar’s view:
Congress was:

• A Brahmin-dominated organisation
• Supporting Varna system

Thus, he launched Self-Respect Movement.

19.2.2 Model Movements

Inspired by:

• Rationalist Association (London)

• Free Thinkers’ Association (USA)
• Anti-God Society (Russia)
• Young China Movement

Also influenced by reforms in Turkey & Afghanistan.

19.2.3 Meaning of Self-Respect

Periyar said:

• “A man without self-respect is equal to a corpse.”

Self-Respect includes:

• Equality, equal rights, equal opportunity

• Rational thinking
• Opposition to superstition
• Removal of untouchability
• Women’s liberation
• Ending exploitation
• Encouraging self-effort

Core idea:
 • Self-thinking + self-reliance = foundation of Self-Respect.

19.2.4 Why He Didn’t Join Justice Party

Though he appreciated Justice Party:

• He feared inclusion of Brahmins would destroy its purpose.

• Called it an “office-seeking party.”

Thus:

• Did not join

• But supported it

Started Revolt journal (1926).

Used Justice Party support to grow movement.

19.2.5 Not a Political Party

1. Not a typical political party.
2. It was a social reform movement.

Goal:

• Change people’s mindset

• Achieve true freedom, equality, dignity

19.2.6 Rapid Growth

• Spread quickly across Tamil Nadu.
• Major conference:
o Pattukkottai (1929)
o Chengalpattu (1929)
19.2.7 Objectives (15-Point Programme)
Key principles:

• No caste by birth
• Reject caste-based religion, scriptures
• Reject Varna system
• Abolish untouchability
• Equal access to public places
• Remove caste titles/symbols
• Women’s rights:
o Marriage age above 16
o Divorce allowed
o Widow remarriage
o Inter-caste marriage
o Freedom to choose partner
• Simple marriage rituals
• No waste in temples; temple wealth for education
• Abolish superstitions
• Women teachers preferred
• Education for oppressed; land grants
• Remove barriers for non-Brahmin youth
• Promote mother tongue education
• No discrimination in public places

19.2.8 Malaya Visit (1930)

1. Spread movement in Malaysia.
2. Travelled across Tamil Nadu.
3. Founded:
a. Truth Seekers Association
b. Rationalist groups
4. Translated Communist Manifesto into Tamil.
World tour (1932):

Visited:

• Egypt, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, England, Sri
Lanka

Outcome:

• Adopted Marxist ideas

• Developed Samadharma (socialist) ideology

19.2.9 Revised Programme

Key socialist ideas:

• End British capitalist rule

• Cancel national debts
• Nationalise industries, railways, banks
• Common ownership of land and forests
• Cancel debts of workers & peasants
• Abolish bonded labour
• Workers’ rule
• Reduce work hours to 7 hours
• Provide employment security
• Abolish superstition through law

Final Core Idea:

Self-Respect Movement aimed to create a rational, equal, caste-free, and dignified
society.
19.2.10 Movement Party
Periyar was an opponent of political parties.
The reason was that political parties were used as tools to suppress the social,
religious, and economic rights of the common people.

To change this situation:

• Periyar decided to form a political organisation called the “Samadharma Party

(Socialist Party)” within the Self-Respect Movement.
• He also prepared a detailed plan for it.

Main Features of the Plan

4. Grant voting rights to all adults for elections to:

a. Legislative Assemblies
b. Municipalities
c. Taluk Boards
d. District Boards
5. Liberate the common people from caste, religion, and economic oppression
6. Ensure management of:
a. Industries
b. Transport systems
for public use
7. Ensure that:
a. Landless agricultural labourers receive a fair share
b. Means of production are not monopolised by individuals
8. Use temple revenues for:
a. Industry
b. Education
c. Healthcare
d. Housing
e. Orphanages
9. Remove references to:
a. Caste
b. Religion
from government records
 c. Those using caste/religious titles should not be given public jobs
10. Transfer responsibility of:
a. Transport
b. Housing
c. Milk supply
d. Healthcare
to local bodies
11. Contest elections by fielding party candidates
12. Obtain written commitment from candidates to follow party policies

All these were to be implemented through:

• Legislative participation
• Propaganda
• Newspapers
(Source: Kudi Arasu, Editorial, 1 Jan 1933)

Note:
Periyar, who opposed political parties, creating a party within his own movement was a
contradictory political experiment.

19.3 Achievements of the Self-Respect

Movement
The Self-Respect Movement was:

• Not a temporary phenomenon

• Not like a passing rainbow
• It was a deep social, religious, and cultural reform movement

It acted as a forerunner to social revolution.

It later led to:

• Dravidar Kazhagam (DK)

• Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
Major Achievements

3. Brahmin dominance declined in Tamil Nadu

4. Blind respect and privileges given to Brahmins reduced
5. Non-Brahmin support for Brahmin candidates declined in elections
6. Religious rituals, festivals, and fasting lost importance
7. Social reforms accepted:
a. Widow remarriage
b. Inter-caste marriage
c. Temple entry
d. Abolition of untouchability
8. Anti-priest organisations emerged → reduced role of priests
9. During voting:
a. Citizens should identify as Indians, not by caste
10. Communal representation became practical
11. Registered marriages became popular
12. Sanatana practices, Puranas, and Varna system lost influence
13. Discrimination reduced in:
• Hotels
• Temples
• Railway stations

19.4 Legislative Elections

Periyar supported the Justice Party after it accepted his Erode Plan.

• Started the journal “Pagutharivu” (1935)

• Campaigned strongly in 1937 elections

Result:

• Justice Party lost

• Congress won
• C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) became Chief Minister
Anti-Hindi Agitation (1938)
• Rajaji introduced Hindi in schools (1937)
• This triggered strong opposition

Periyar:

• Launched a mass anti-Hindi movement

• Declared Hindi imposition as:
o An Aryan cultural invasion
o A threat to Tamil identity

He warned:

• It would make Tamils subordinate to North Indians

• It would destroy:
o Tamil culture
o Self-Respect Movement

Movement impact:

• United:
o Self-Respect Movement
o Justice Party
o Tamil nationalists
• Led by:
o Periyar
o Sir A.T. Panneerselvam
• Thousands arrested

Key event:

• 1 Sept 1938, Marina Beach (Triplicane)

→ Periyar first raised slogan:
“Tamil Nadu for Tamils”

Punishment:

• 2 years imprisonment
 • ₹2000 fine
• Imprisoned in Bellary Jail

While in jail → became leader of Justice Party (29 Dec 1938)

This agitation became a precursor to later anti-Hindi movements (1948, 1952, 1965)

Tamil Women’s Conference declared he should be called “Periyar”.

19.5 Leader of Justice Party

• Entered jail as Self-Respect leader
• Came out as Justice Party leader

Meetings:

• Met Cripps (1939) → discussed Dravidian separation

• Met Jinnah (1940) (Ambedkar present)
• Refused minister post (1940)

Transformation
Periyar:

• Converted Justice Party into a social reform movement

• Changed its identity permanently

Changes:

• From Non-Brahmin identity → Dravidian identity

• Renamed as Dravidar Kazhagam (1941, formal 1944)
• Spread Dravidian nation demand
• Refused power again (1942)
19.6 Evaluation
Self-Respect Movement:

• Fought for rights of backward classes

• Spread beyond Tamil Nadu to:
o Malaysia
o Singapore

Periyar believed:

• Brahmins were responsible for Tamil decline

Reforms:

• Promoted Self-Respect marriages (no priests)

• Encouraged inter-caste marriages

Impact:

• Reduced Brahmin dominance in rituals

Criticism:

• Movement became authoritarian under Periyar

• Leaders like C.N. Annadurai opposed it

Result:

• Formation of DMK

19.7 Dravidar Kazhagam (1944–1973)

19.7.1 Why Separate Organisation?
• Justice Party declined after achieving reservations
• Tamils still socially and economically backward
Periyar’s aim:

• Replace identity:
o “Non-Brahmin” → “Dravidian”

Thus:

• Created Dravidar Kazhagam (1944, Salem)

19.7.2 Reason for Name

• Justice Party did not represent Tamils fully
• Needed a clear Dravidian identity

Hence renamed to:

Dravidar Kazhagam

19.7.3 Flag and Goals

Flag Meaning

• Black → oppression of Dravidians

• Red circle → revolution

Goals

3. Remove superstition and inequality

4. Promote rational thinking
5. Achieve social equality
6. Ensure proportional representation
7. Abolish caste system
8. Establish Dravidian nation
19.7.4 Unique Features
• Remove caste through ending untouchability
• Oppose Brahmin dominance
• Criticise Hindu gods and rituals
• Fight superstition
• Promote women’s liberation
• Oppose Hindi & North Indian domination
• Members wore black shirts

Limitations:

• Dravidian nation demand weakened

• Socialism declined
• Rationalism had limited reach
• Internal conflicts weakened movement

Still:

Periyar continued reform work till 1973

19.8 Periyar’s Social Reforms

19.8.1 Tamil Society
Periyar analysed:

• Who are Tamils?

• Why decline?

Reasons for decline:

5. Aryan domination
6. Loss of identity
7. Lack of social structure
8. No unique identity
 9. Loss of cultural traditions
10. Loss of original literature

Solutions:

• Promote good habits

• Increase rational thinking
• Ensure equality
• Build self-respect
• Create secular society

19.8.2 Social Philosophy

• Social reform is more important than political freedom

Periyar’s view:

• Social service and politics are like two sides of a coin

• Social change must come first

Government role:

• Must actively create social equality

• Should respond to people’s needs
• People should not depend on government mercy

Final aim:

Build a just, equal society based on Social Equality

19.8.3 Aryans – Brahmins – Brahminism

Periyar described the Aryans, who came to India in search of pasture lands, as a
“nomadic (Lambadi-like) group.”
 • Before their arrival, Dravidians already lived in India.
• The Aryans:
o Fought and defeated them
o Enslaved them
o Gave them degrading names like:
▪ Dasyus
▪ Rakshasas
▪ Asuras
▪ Sudras
▪ Panchamas
o Assigned them only low-status occupations

Periyar said:

• Brahmins are like Anglo-Indians, born of Aryans and native people (Kudi Arasu,
1949 May 28).

According to him:

• Using religion, caste, God, epics, and Puranas

→ Brahmins enslaved the sons of the soil

They gained support from rulers under the name of Brahminism.

What is Brahminism?

Periyar defined Brahminism as:

• A system based on:

o Vedas
o Sastras
o Smritis
o Agamas
o Puranas
o Manu Dharma
o Hindu law
o Rituals and customs

Through these, Brahmins:

 • Secured:
o Positions
o Privileges
o Special rights
• Formed exclusive associations
• Put up boards saying “Only for Brahmins”
• Practised exclusion

This mentality = Brahminism

Conclusion

• Caste system must be abolished

• Social divisions must be removed
• All must work and live equally

Only then:

• Brahmin dominance
• Brahmin mentality (Brahminism)
will disappear (Kudi Arasu, 1933 March 5)

19.8.4 Dravidian – Sudra – Adi Dravidian

According to Manusmriti (Chapter 10):

• “Dravidians are those born to people who follow and do not follow caste dharma”
(Kudi Arasu, 1947 Sept 20).

Aryans:

• Made Dravidians into slaves

• Called them Sudras
• Placed them in the fourth level of caste hierarchy

Those outside the system:

 • Paraiyar
• Pallar
• Panchamar
• Chandalas
• Untouchables

Later called:

• Harijans
• Adi Dravidians

Periyar’s View

• Strongly opposed dividing people into:

o Dravidian
o Sudra
o Adi Dravidian

He said:

• This division is a Brahmin conspiracy

Reason:

• Both groups are:

o Oppressed
o Downtrodden

No real difference between them

Famous Statement

• “Unless the Paraiyar label disappears, the Sudra label will not disappear.”
• “If you think your Sudra status will go without removing Paraiyar status, you are a
fool.”
(Kudi Arasu, 1931 Oct 31)
19.8.5 Untouchability
Question raised by Periyar:

• If all are children of God, why are some treated as untouchables?

Reason:

• Religion and scriptures justify untouchability

Solution:

• Remove the root cause (religious basis)

He said:

• Atheism is the medicine for this disease

Also:

• Upper caste exploits without labour

• Lower caste suffers despite labour

Quote:

“The lower caste man works, but lives without food, clothes, education, worse than
animals.”
(Kudi Arasu, 1933 May 7)

Conclusion

• All are equal by birth

• Those who fight caste oppression can remove it

Solution needed:

• Education
• Rational thinking
• Economic strength
 Periyar worked to eliminate untouchability within his lifetime.

19.8.6 Temple Entry

Though Periyar had no belief in God:

• He supported temple entry

Reason:

• Temples were used to:

o Enslave people
o Maintain caste hierarchy

He argued:

• Temples should be like:

o Roads
o Wells
o Schools
→ Open to all

Important Statement

“I insist on temple entry not for devotion, but for equality. Once equality is achieved in
temples, it will spread everywhere.”
(Kudi Arasu, 1929 Oct 27)

Incident

• During Periyar’s absence:

o Some activists took Adi Dravidians into a temple
o Upper caste people locked them inside
o Case filed

Later:
 • Case dismissed in High Court (1928)

19.8.7 Women’s Liberation

Chastity (Karpu)
• Women themselves are also obstacles to their liberation

Periyar said:

• Men dominate due to ego

• Women believe they need men to have children

Solution (radical view):

• Childbirth burden must be eliminated

• Women treated as child-bearing machines

Double Standards

• Chastity imposed only on women

• Men allowed multiple partners

Periyar condemned this inequality

Property Rights
• Main cause of women’s oppression = lack of property rights
• Property passed only to male heirs
• Women forced to produce male children

Solution

• Women must:
 o Fight
o Become independent
o Gain education and jobs

Child Marriage
• Strongly opposed

Orthodox argument:

• Without child marriage, morality fails

Periyar rejected this:

• Called such arguments immoral and absurd

Widow Remarriage
• Condemned forcing widows to live in misery

Question:

• Why can men remarry but not women?

Supported widow remarriage

• Even arranged remarriage in his own family

Divorce
• Considered divorce a protective right
• Must be equal for both men and women
• Women should protest for divorce rights
Remarriage
Marriage = a contract for convenience

Women should also have equal rights to remarry.

Inter-Caste Marriage
• Strong supporter
• Said real inter-caste marriage is:
o Between Brahmin & non-Brahmin

Birth Control
• Essential for women’s freedom

Reasons:

1. Ensures independence
2. Enables participation in society
3. Prevents poverty burden
4. Pregnancy = “disease” (his radical view)

Self-Respect Marriages
• No priests
• No rituals
• Simple marriages

Aim:
 • End Brahmin dominance
• Reduce dowry burden

Later legalized under C.N. Annadurai government

Devadasi System Abolition

• Called it “refined prostitution”
• Strongly supported abolition
• Supported Dr. Muthulakshmi’s bill
• Criticised:
o Brahmin opposition
o Even Justice Party members who opposed

Evaluation
• Periyar’s reforms had deep impact on Tamil society

Results:

• Decline of Brahmin dominance

• Rise of non-Brahmin opportunities
• Spread of rational thinking
• Growth of women’s rights
• Increase in:
o Widow remarriage
o Reform marriages
o Love marriages
• Strengthened Dravidian identity
• Anti-Hindi feeling intensified

Self-Respect Movement = foundation for social revolution

19.9 Maraimalai Adigal (1876–1950)
Life
• Born: 15 July 1876, Kadampadi
• Scholar in:
o Tamil
o Sanskrit
o English
• Saiva Siddhanta philosopher
• Wrote 100+ books

One God Concept

• “One caste, one God”
• Founded organisation for common worship
• Started Pure Tamil Movement

Relation with Periyar

• Initially supported Self-Respect Movement
• Later disagreed due to:
o Periyar’s atheism

Said movement not genuine later

Common Ideas
Both movements aimed at:
 • Ending Brahmin dominance
• Promoting self-respect
• Removing caste inequality

Final Note
• Both were rationalists
• But differed in approach:
o Periyar → Atheism
o Maraimalai Adigal → Theism with rationalism

CHRONOLOGY: PERIYAR & SELF-RESPECT

MOVEMENT (1879–1973)
🔹 EARLY LIFE & CONGRESS PHASE (1879–1925)

Year Event Place Importance

1879 (Sept Born into Balija Naicker
Birth of E.V. Ramasamy Erode
17) family
1898 Marriage to Nagammal Salem region Early marriage (age 19)
Exposure to caste
1904 Travels to Kashi & Calcutta North India
discrimination
Joins Congress & freedom
1919 Tamil Nadu Enters politics
struggle
1919–20 Resigns municipal post Erode Full-time nationalist
Khadi & liquor shop
1921 Erode Grassroots activism
agitation
1922 Imprisoned Coimbatore jail First major jail term
1923 TN Congress President Tamil Nadu First non-Brahmin leader
1924 Vaikom Satyagraha Kerala Called “Vaikom Veerar”
 Against caste
1924 Gurukulam protest Cheranmahadevi
discrimination
1925 (Nov
Leaves Congress Kanchipuram Turning point
25)

🔹 SELF-RESPECT MOVEMENT PHASE (1925–1935)

Year Event Place Importance

Starts Self-Respect Core reform
1925 Tamil Nadu
Movement movement
1926 Starts Revolt journal Tamil Nadu English propaganda
Organising
1926 (Dec) Non-Brahmin Conference Madurai
backward classes
1927 Meets Gandhi Bangalore Ideological clash
1927 Called “Periyar” first time Nagercoil Title given
Temple entry case
1928 Tamil Nadu Social equality issue
dismissed
1929 (Feb 1st Self-Respect
Chengalpattu Formal launch
17–18) Conference
1929 Pattukkottai Conference Pattukkottai Mass expansion
1930 Malaya visit Malaysia International spread
1930 2nd Conference Erode Growth phase
1931 3rd Conference Virudhunagar Consolidation
1932 World tour (Europe, etc.) Many countries Socialist influence
1933 Imprisoned (Samadharma) India Socialist activism
1933 (Jan 1) Socialist Party plan — Political experiment

🔹 JUSTICE PARTY & ANTI-HINDI PHASE (1935–1944)

Year Event Place Importance

1935 Starts Pagutharivu Tamil Nadu Rationalist journal
1935 Supports Justice Party Tamil Nadu Political alignment
 Elections → Justice Party Congress rule
1937 Tamil Nadu
defeat begins
Madras
1937 Rajaji becomes CM Hindi introduced
Presidency
1938 Anti-Hindi agitation begins Tamil Nadu Major movement
1938 (Sept “Tamil Nadu for Tamils” Chennai
Key slogan
1) slogan (Marina)
Leadership
1938 Arrested & jailed Bellary
strengthened
1938 (Dec Becomes Justice Party
— Political leadership
29) leader

🔹 DRAVIDIAN IDEOLOGY PHASE (1939–1944)

Year Event Place Importance

Talks Dravidian
1939 Meets Cripps India
state
1940 (Jan Meets Jinnah (Ambedkar Separate state
Bombay
8) present) demand
1940 Dravida Nadu
Tiruvarur Conference Tiruvarur
(April) demand
Moves towards Dravidar Shift from “Non-
1941 Tamil Nadu
identity Brahmin”
1942 Refuses minister post — Anti-power stance
1944 (Aug Justice Party → Dravidar Major
Salem
27) Kazhagam transformation

🔹 DRAVIDAR KAZHAGAM PHASE (1944–1973)

Year Event Place Importance

1945 (Sept 29– Organisational
Black Shirt movement Trichy
30) identity
 Tamil Black & Red
1946 DK flag adopted
Nadu symbolism
Opposes Constituent
1946 India Political stance
Assembly
Declares “Day of Anti-independence
1947 (Aug 15) India
Mourning” view
Anti-Hindi protest Tamil
1948 Continued agitation
continues Nadu
1949 (July 9) Marries Maniammai — Internal split cause
Tamil
1949 DMK formed by Annadurai Major split
Nadu
Tamil
1950s–60s Continued reforms Social activism
Nadu
Tamil
1965 Anti-Hindi agitation wave Influence continues
Nadu
Tamil
1973 (Dec 24) Death of Periyar End of era
Nadu

🔥 MOST IMPORTANT YEARS (VERY

IMPORTANT FOR EXAM)
1879 – Birth
1919 – Joins Congress
1924 – Vaikom Satyagraha
1925 – Leaves Congress / Starts Movement
1929 – 1st Conference (Chengalpattu)
1932 – Foreign tour
1937 – Congress rule / Hindi issue
1938 – Anti-Hindi agitation
1944 – DK formation
1949 – DMK formation
1973 – Death
⚡ ULTRA-SHORT MEMORY TRICK
“79–19–25–29–38–44–49–73”

• 79 → Birth
• 19 → Congress
• 25 → Exit + Movement
• 29 → Conference
• 38 → Anti-Hindi
• 44 → DK
• 49 → DMK
• 73 → Death