Self-Respect and Rationalism:Enduring Relevance in Contemporary India

A layman could think in a curious manner what happened hundred years ago and what would happen after a hundred years. During the span of hundred years anything would increase or decrease or even disappear. Self-respect as an idea would survive till men continued to think rationally. Rooted in rationalism, Self-Respect Movement waged a critique of tradition and provided a space for human treatment which aimed ultimately to give up the practices of inhuman treatment in social, cultural and political spheres. The achievements are the results of the combined efforts of individual, society and polity. They imply both psychological change and legal enactments on the part of the individual and the state respectively. This paper addresses these issues with contemporary relevance.

Dr. R. Saravanan

Dr. R. Saravanan is an Assistant Professor of History at Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Madras and multiple postgraduate degrees in Education, Management, and Journalism. A prolific scholar, he has authored 9 books and over 100 research articles. To date, he has guided one Ph.D., 14 M.Phil., and 25 M.A. students. Beyond academics, he is an award-winning NSS Programme Officer, recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu for his distinguished service in social leadership.

bibliography

Anaimuthu, Ve. Periyar E. Ve. Ra Sinthanaigal, Sinthanaiyalar Kazhagam, Trichy, 1974, vol.1, xxi-xxii.
N . K . M a n g a l a m u r u g e s a n , N.K., Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu, 1920-1940, Koodal Publishers, Madurai, nd. pp. 161-162.
Kudi Arasu, 21 September 1930.
Kudi Arasu, 7 August 1927.
Kudi Arasu, 4 September 1927.
Kudi Arasu, 25 August 1929.
Irschick, E.F. Politics and Social Conflict in South India, 1916-1929, Oxford University Press, Bombay, 1969, pp. 330-331.
Viswanathan, E.Sa. The Political Career of E.V.Ramaswamy Naicker, Ravi and Vasantha Publishers, Madras, 1983, p. 152.
Kudi Arasu, 26 October 1930.
Periyar, E.V.R. Why were women enslaved? EThe Periyar Self-Respect Propaganda Institution, Chennai, 2007.
Veeramani, K. ed. Collected Works of Periyar E.V.R., Periyar Self-Respect Propaganda Institution, Chennai, nd., pp. 296-97. Ibid, p. 52. Ibid, p. 53.