Who was Periyar E.V. Ramasamy?

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About Periyar E.V. Ramasamy:

• Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), commonly known as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam. 
• He is known as the 'Father of the Dravidian movement'.
• He rebelled against Brahminical dominance and gender and caste inequality in Tamil Nadu.
• He joined the Indian National Congress in 1919, but resigned in 1925 when he felt that the party was only serving the interests of Brahmins.
• He questioned the subjugation of non-Brahmin Dravidians, as Brahmins enjoyed gifts and donations from non-Brahmins but opposed and discriminated against non-Brahmins in cultural and religious matters.
• In 1924, E.V. Ramasamy participated in non-violent agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikom, Travancore.

• He came to be known widely as a leader of the lower castes after he led the movement in 1924 that demanded the entry of Dalits in temples in Kerala.

• He is known the most for his Self-respect Movement, that aimed at generating pride in lower castes.
• From 1929 to 1932, Ramasamy made a tour of British Malaya, Europe, and the Soviet Union, which influenced him.
• In 1939, E.V. Ramasamy became the head of the Justice Party, and in 1944, he changed its name to Dravidar Kazhagam.
• While continuing the Self-Respect Movement, he advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu (land of the Dravidians).
• V. Ramasamy promoted the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights, and the eradication of caste.
• He opposed the exploitation and marginalisation of the non-Brahmin Dravidian people of South India and the imposition of what he considered Indo-Aryan India.
• However, he believed in the ideas of Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar and hence held faith in the idea of a single, formless God.