Tamil Nadu Govt To Observe Birthday Of Thanthai Periyar On Sept 17 As Social Justice Day

EV Ramasamy Periyar is the 'Father of Dravidian movement' and was the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam.

MK Stalin At Tamil Nadu Assembly (File Photo)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday announced that the birth anniversary of Thanthai Periyar, on September 17, will be celebrated as 'Social Justice Day' every year. The Chief Minister also made the announcement under Rule 110 of Tamil Nadu Assembly Rules. 

According to reports, the Chief Minister in the Assembly said, EVR Periyar fought for social justice till the age of 95 and his struggles are irreplaceable. We will need at least 10 days to talk about his struggles and implementation of reforms. Hence, his birthday that falls on September 17 will be celebrated as 'Social Justice Day'.

EV Ramasamy Periyar is the 'Father of the Dravidian movement' and he was the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam. He is a rebel against Brahminical dominance and fought to ensure equality by ending caste and patriarchal practices. In 1919, Periyar joined Indian National Congress. However, he resigned from the party in 1925 since he alleged that the party was serving only the interests of Brahmins. In 1939, he became the head of the Justice party and later changed it to Dravidar Kazhagam. 

EV Ramasamy was against the imposition of Aryan practices and proposed a separate Tamil state. EVR also worked for ensuring rationalism, women's rights, and eradicating caste. He promoted atheism. His trip to Europe, Soviet Union influenced him on his work towards curbing the class divide.

In one of the famous quotes, Thanthai Periyar said, "If a larger country oppresses a smaller country, I'll stand with the smaller country. If the smaller country has a majoritarian religion that oppresses minority religions, I'll stand with minority religions. If the minority religion has a caste and one caste oppresses another caste, I'll stand with the caste being pressed. In the oppressed caste, if an employer oppresses his employee, I'll stand with the employee. If the employee goes home and oppresses his wife, I'll stand with that woman. Overall, oppression is my enemy."