GENESIS OFSELF-RESPECT MOVEMENT

I started a movement and named it as the ‘Self-Respect Movement’ in

1925. It is known to all. I am bound to state why it was started. Many may
like to know the objectives of the movement. At the outset, I must say a few
words about myself. Then only it will be possible to conclude whether what I
did was right or wrong.

I had no feelings about caste or religion from my childhood days. In other

words I did not follow them. But when circumstances forced me I pretended
to observe them. Similarly I had no faith in God. In all matters I did, I never
thought whether God would punish me! I did not do anything thinking that it
would please God. In my early years, I had no remembrance I have ever
believed in god or religion or caste really! I have to reminiscence about this
many times in the past also. I do not know as to when I really lost faith in all
these.

CASTE-FANATICISM EVEN IN DRINKING WATER

When I was just six years old, I was sent to a pial school. It was just at a
short distance from my home in Erode. Around the school there were few
houses inhabited by Chettiars, trading in oil. Oil mills were working always.
A few people residing on platforms were manufacturing mats and baskets out
of bamboo. Some Muslims too were residing in that area. It was clear that
Chettiars, bamboo article makers and Muslims were dwelling in that area.

In those days, other caste people would not take any food in their houses.
So before sending me to school I was advised not to move with these people.
I was strictly warned not to eat or drink in their houses. If at all I felt thirsty, I
was asked to take water from the teacher’s house. The teacher was a strict
vegetarian. He belonged to a caste called ‘Odhuvar’. In his house a small girl
used to place a brass tumbler on the ground, and pour water into it. I was
instructed to lift the vessel and drink without sipping. After drinking I was
asked to keep the vessel upside down. After that she would pour water on the
vessel, lift it and then take it into the house. That was the normal practice
adopted in those days by high-caste Hindus to `purify’ the vessel touched by
a person belonging to a low-caste.

Because I was not allowed to sip water from the vessel, a part of the water
would fall on my body. Only a little water would go into the mouth. Some
times water would enter my nose and cause trouble. I had to spit out water
instantly. Sometimes the girl would get angry on seeing this. So I decided not
to take water from the house of the teacher.

The boys of Vania Chettiar community never went to the teacher’s house
for drinking water. They will stand in the class, show their thumbs and the
teacher would let them go out and return soon. They would take water from
the Chettiars’ houses nearby.

One day I thought that I could join them and take water in a Chettiar’s
house. When a Chettiar boy showed his thumb I also stood up and showed
my thumb. The teacher permitted both of us to leave the class. The teacher
asked me where I was running to. “For drinking water” I replied. “Are you
going with him?” asked my Master. So I went to the teacher’s house. When I
returned, my body was wet. My dhotis too were partly drenched in water.
Next day I decided to accompany a Chettiar boy for drinking water. I made
the necessary arrangement previously. I stood up in the class first and showed
my pointing finger as though I am going out to pass urine. The teacher
nodded his head. I went out and stood behind the house of the teacher. The
Chettiar boy took the permission from the teacher to quench his thirst. He
came out. We both joined together and ran up to his house. He brought me a
glass of water.

PUNISHMENT FOR MOVING WITH LOW CASTES

I drank that water by sipping, as I would do in my house. Seeing this the

lady of the house asked me whether I would not be punished for drinking
water in her house. I said no one in my house would take me to task. She
asked my friend Palaniappan to wash the glass I used. Then I ran back to the
school.
 On another occasion I drank the water in the house of a person who made
bamboo articles. Gradually I began to taste the dishes prepared in their
houses. Somehow this matter reached my house. At that time my family was
very rich. Our people were observing the rituals like orthodox Brahmins.
Always there was talk of divinity in my house. But my father was not much
worried. He simply chided me saying ‘ Don’t behave like that again.’ But my
mother was very much perturbed. She would feel as though she had lost
something precious. But nothing stood in my way. I even ate whatever the
Muslim boys offered me. My parents came to know about this also. By this
time my school career was stopped. I was then only ten years old.

I was very closely associated with those with whom I should not. I was
not expected to move freely. My close movement with communities, which
were considered low and despicable, was the main impediment to my
education. I was considered to be a ruffian because of my movements and
behaviour. My feet were chained to logs of wood. Yet I used to move about
with my usual company. This continued for fifteen days!. I used to carry the
logs on my shoulder and go about on my usual rounds. At last I was taken
away from that school and sent to a government school. Even there I was
stopped in two years. I was only 12 years at that time.

RATIONAL QUESTIONS TO RELIGIOUS PREACHERS

I was sent to our own business shop. My work was to mark the bags and
auction the goods. During my leisure time, I took keen interest in discussing
the puranas (mythologies). In those days Sanyasis (Saints), Bhagavathars,
religious mendicants had great sway over our family. I disliked them. I used
to heckle them and make fun of what they said. I used to pester them with
questions and make them feel embarassed. Gradually this practice led to my
taking interest in chatting. This also helped me to spend my leisure time
usefully. In fact this practice gave me lively interest.

Moreover the religious pundits (scholars) of Vaishnavism and Saivism

were performing ‘Kalatshepams’ (Story Discourse with songs) in our house.
This was done to gain a status and name in the society, as my family was
rolling in money. My mother used to hear the religious discourses with
devotion. My father was simply pleased with all these. So far as I was
concerned, I naturally, learnt all about the Hindu religion and its puranas. I
used to put a volley of questions to the pundits. For some, they struggled to
answer. Different pundits gave different clarifications. This made me more
enthusiastic and incisive. Neighbours were struck with my intelligence.
Though sometimes my father felt annoyed, in his heart of hearts, he
appreciated my brilliance.

Out of all these I began to lose faith in castes, religions, God and Sastras
(Hindu Doctrines).

NOT A VICTIM TO LIQUORS

It is said that one’s association and surrounding, give scope to the

individual to determine one’s life, mission and ideals. By experience it may
be true. But in no field of activity I was influenced by association or
surrounding. On the contrary I was never a victim of my surrounding and
association . Let me explain this further. When I was in my youth I was
surrounded by friends who were mostly accustomed to drink. This was
during the period when I was 20 to 30 years of age. Further the government
officers, Zamindars and Mirasdars who were very affectionate also had the
habit of consuming liquor. Many nights I used to enjoy their Company and
take leave of them in the morning. Every night I used to spend Rs.40, 50,60
on liquor like brandy. I would myself mix the liquor with soda in glasses and
offer them as a mark of respect. When they got intoxicated some of them
used to spit the liquor on me. On one occasion, a deputy collector and a salt
commissioner pushed me to the ground and forcibly tried to pour liquor into
my mouth. I say this to prove that association or surrounding had no power to
influence me, I never had the interest to taste any liquor. Yet my wife used to
suspect me because of my association and surroundings. She would ask me to
open my mouth and try to smell whether I had consumed any liquor. Then
only she would be satisfied.

Inspite of my being associated with this sort of society, I was very

successful in my business. My father reposed great confidence in me. He
removed the name board of the shop bearing his name and replaced it with
my name. Even in public matters he deputed me to represent him.

The works of temples and devasthanams were conducted as if they were

purely personal affairs In this aspect also my father made me prominent. By
doing this, he expected a change in my life. He might have thought that I
would become religious and have faith in god.

I acted as the secretary and president of the DevasthanaCommittee.

ERADICATING EVILS OF CASTE AND RELIGION

While the matters were such, whatever responsibility I accepted, I did the
duties as they should be done. Even in matters which I disbelieved, I was
very honest, sincere and more careful.

My real interest and resolve slowly grew towards eradicating the evils of
caste and religion. Even in that lofty ideal, I did not deem that I would be the
only fit person to do it. Somehow we were leading a very happy life. Without
depending on anyone for anything our family flourished. What else is needed
for a happy life. In other words, a man needs a healthy body and
determination to work hard for his ideals. He should not be lazy or dependent
on others for anything.

One should not change or give up his ideals for selfish gains or for getting
the favour of others. A man must have such a freedom to pursue his ideals till
his death.

I think I had that freedom and unique status. It is this freedom I enjoy and
values most, that enables me to pursue my ideals. I am in no way blindly
resolute.

If my senses are sensitive at the time of my death, I would feel happy

about my life and die peacefully. I will be completely satisfied. I will not
have any grouse or complaint. I will not feel that I have left anything
unfinished.

Because I am alive, my life must have some work. There is no life

without work. My mission was decided by me. I resolved to eradicate the
evils of casteism. I decided to crusade against god and superstitions. My aim
was to work with interest for the welfare of the society. I do, what all I can to
better the society. When this feeling gradually developed, I took it as my full
time life-work to reform the society.

WHY SELF-RESPECT MOVEMENT WAS STARTED?

I started the Self – Respect Movement with the same motive. If my

ambition is fulfilled the class hatred in society will cease. Individuals will
have no grievances. All these may exist in society merely for recreation!
Even as people play or gamble on holidays, meet with dejection, worries,
dissatisfaction, by nature’s action the society may be unnecessarily annoyed.
It is common not only to human beings but to all living beings. So any man
will have to face the good and the bad in life. With awareness of this I have
launched the movement. This is otherwise interpreted as ‘Nish Kamiya
Karma’, that is discharging duties without expecting good reward. Why
should any one do so? When a man does something expecting some good, he
will have to meet with worries. But in reality a living being has to choose
some work or other. I have undertaken the Self-Respect movement as the
work for me in life. But in this work I did not get myself dejected. It always
gives me interest .

The philosophy of Self-Respect Movement is known to the world. The

cause and effect theory is accepted by the wise world. The human being
seeks the reasons for everything. He has begun to conduct research of nature.
A life with ignorance is considered as a slave’s life. This is the doctrine of
Self – Respect Movement. Before doing anything, one should think whether
it is right or wrong, see the causes, analyse things, do research, and respect
the truths. This is what the Self-Respect means. Freedom and Self-Respect
are closely related.

Those who are for freedom today are neglecting the self-respect and
human dignity of man. This is nothing but absurd. Without self-respect there
will be no good of freedom.
 It is the self-respect ideal that commands feelings of freedom. The
freedom of the self-respect prevails strikingly. But the freedom of the real
freedom lovers will not be clear even to himself. Even if he understands, it
may be only in the case of particular thing.

WRONG CONCEPTIONS OF GANDHI

For example, take the concept of political freedom. Mr. Gandhi and Mr.
Jawaharlal are the two luminaries in politics.

Gandhi says, revitalising Hinduism and old method of Varnasharma

Dharma (Code of Casteism) is freedom. Deliverance from British rule is
considered as freedom. Prevalent sorrows in the human society can not be
wiped out because, that freedom will create more problems than solve some.
It is said that British subjects enjoy the greatest freedom. But you know the
king himself had to abdicate the crown to marry the lady he loved and that
too it was precipitated by the so-called elected representatives. If it is so, do
you believe that there will be any self-respect in the freedom of Gandhi or
Nehru? Do you think the British king would have forfeited the right to marry,
if there was self-respect with freedom? There is nothing so precious to man in
life as self-respect and basic human right.

Though the Self-Respect Movement made a very humble beginning, it

had to face many obstacles and repression. At many stages, there were critical
dangers. Why? The Self-Respect Movement has created a stir in Tamil Nadu,
Malayala Nadu, Andhra Nadu in the social sphere. It has made Gandhi also
do somersaults. Men are now demanding rights. High and low caste
significations are fast fading away. Bible and Quran are now given new
interpretations. If only congress had not counteracted, the Self-Respect
Movement would have spread even throughout the length and breadth of
India. Brahminism would have been completely routed and effaced out of
existence.

We are going to propagate the ideals all over India. Now our youths are
eager to undertake the task.
 Youths, get ready for the task!

SELF–RESPECT AND GOD AND RELIGION

Religion is the sum of the rules related to cooperative living and code of
conduct needed for a society. Self-Respect Movement is not against such a
harmoneous society. Even if it is said that religion is needed to reach god we
will not interfere. It is after all an individual’s personal affair.

But, if religion destroys the wisdom in the society, if it endangers the self-
respect, if humanity is differentiated as high and low, if it brings disunity and
demolishes freedom, our Self-Respect Movement will not leave it. Take for
example numerous religions. Let us not worry about the religions of
foreigners. Let us consider Hinduism, which is said to be our religion of
India.

Is there any other reason for Indians to be so disunited? Is not Hinduism

responsible for the creation of so many divisions and differences? Is not
Hinduism responsible for the creation of so many castes, that too some as
high and some as low? The Vedas and Sastras (Hindu Doctrines) prove these.
If we are to get rid of castes and un-touchability without converting to other
religions like Islam, think over whether anyone else except Brahmin is
enjoying so much facility and freedom in social and economic fields. What
else is needed to prove that Hindu religion should be destroyed? No one
thinks about what religion has done to humanity.

The evils caused by the intoxicating drinks are lesser, when compared to
the evils caused by religious fanaticism. Liquor spoils only when consumed.
Religion spoils you the moment you think of it.

Religion not only creates the high and low discrimination in our social
life, but also establishes high and low discrimination in our economy. Think
over!. Has not religion created a separate class of people who are hard
working and a separate class of people who enjoy without any hard work?

The wealth of the world is denied to the toiling masses. Lazy fellows who
do not exert or work are able to enjoy the wealth of the world. Is it not
because of religion? Common man is in poverty. He is made a slave, a low
caste and heinous human being. Those who have got exemption to work by
religion are free from worries and are able to amass wealth and subordinate
all others on account of this religion.

NO CASTEISM AMONG BIRDS OR ANIMALS

Birds, animals, worms, which are considered to be devoid of rationalism

do not create castes, differences as high and low, in their own species. But
man considered to be a rational being is suffering from all these because of
religion.

Amongst dogs you don’t have a brahmin dog and pariah (untouchable)
dog. Among donkeys and monkeys we do not find. But amongst men you
have. Why? Is it not because of our religion? How many years old is
Hinduism? What good has it done to Society so far.? The low caste existed
even in the days of Rama who was considered as an incarnation of god. In the
days of King Harichander there existed a Pariah (Untouchable) in the burial
ground. Selling away one’s wife too was prevalent. To this day these evils are
seen in our society. How are we to say that Hindu religion helped the people
to progress?

See, what foolish notions are taught to the people by religion. The dead
bodies are burnt to ashes and the ashes are immersed in water. But they are
believed to be alive. The descendants of the dead hand over rice, dholl,
vegetables, foot - wear etc., to a Brahmin to be safely and surely passed over
to the dead.

How are we to believe that a man has an iota of sense or ratlionalism in

doing all these. Why should you give things only to Brahmins? Why should
you fall at his feet? Why should you wash his feet and drink that water? If
this is Hindu doctrine and philosophy, such a religion must go. Take the other
rituals. Christening, house warming, marriage, puberty or anything, all are for
Brahmin’s gain. Do people of other religions and countries behave like this?
We do not respect our knowledge nor are we ashmed of our actions. Are we
merely a mass of flesh and bones? Why should anybody get angry when I say
all these to make you to think over. Who is responsible for our degradation?
Is it religion or government?

ONE GOD OF CHRISTIANS - MUSLIMS

In the scientifically advanced world, we are talking of gods and their great
deeds. This is nothing but barbarous. Because our enemies find no reasonable
charges against us, they are calling us atheists, with a bad motive and to
create mischief.

So far as god is concerned we find the Christians and Muslims, somewhat

reformed from the olden days of barbarians. They say that there can be only
one god. They say that it is beyond human comprehension. They say that god
does good to those who are good and punishes those who are bad. They say
that god has no name or shape. They talk of good qualities. We need not
worry about their god. Wise people accept their gods because they feel that
their god would serve the purpose of creating a better society. What about
Hindus and their thousands of gods created by Brahmins.? Why should
Hindus worship so many gods? How did they come? See what are all made
as gods! From cow, horse, bullock, monkey, bandicoot, stone, birds, metals,
paper, all are deemed as gods. When I was in Kasi (Varanasi in North India -
a holy town for Hindus), I saw two dogs being worshipped. Moreover gods
have wives, concubines, and prostitutes. These gods are believed to eat, sleep
and reproduce. They also have marriages and funerals.

Let them attribute anything to these gods. Kidnapping girls, gods

enjoying with prostitutes are celebrated as festivals. Crores of rupees are
wasted for these. The precious time of the people is wasted. Think over,
whether all these are things to be done in the 20th Century.

IDIOTIC MARRIAGES - EXPENSES - OFFERINGS

Should we not feel ashamed of all these? Is it just or right to call us

atheists? If there are gods, should they be like this? Will any intelligent man
accept this? Does god require all these things we do, as pooja (prayer),
offerings, marriages etc.,? Does any god approve all these? Seeing the gods
as mere toys, we perform marriage thrice a year to them, why that? If gods
really need wives, should we not find out what happened to the wives
married last year? Were they divorced? Were they segregated? Have they
deserted their husbands and ran away or have all died? Should we not think
of all these? Why celebrate marriages every year for gods? Why Music,
show, pomp and expenses? Do you know who eats the feast at marriages?
How many festivals every year and at various places? What have we gained
by all these? So far as our education is concerned 95% people are illiterate. In
the world, our India is a very poor country. Should we not think why we
should squander money in the name of god?

How many times do we perform poojas (prayers) and place offerings to

god a day? How many measures of rice, dholl, and other articles are placed
before god? People have no education, no work, no meal. Please consider
how many crores of rupees are wasted year after year for celebrating
Eakadasi, Arudra, Thai Poosam, Karthigai, and for visiting temples at
Tirupathi, Thiruchendur and Rameswaram.

If we consider what pains are taken for these expenses, none could assert
that gods have done good to our people in any manner. If the huge amount
spent this way is diverted to other fields, we can run the government without
taxes. If we create new industries and educational institutions we can solve
the problems of illiteracy and unemployment. There will be no exploitation
by foreign countries. Just to make a particular section of people (Brahmins)
remain lazy and yet lead their lives well, why all others should bestow their
hard earned money foolishly for all these?

How senselessly are we behaving in the name of god and devotion? How
ugly do we seem when we carry the kavadi (a bent pole with metal vessels at
both ends) on our shoulders! Wearing saffron colour cloth people roll in the
streets! People shave their head, smear mud and ashes on the body! People
prick themselves with small arrows into their tongue and other parts of body.
People bathe in dirty water. All these in the name of god and devotion!

Moreover, milk, ghee, curd, honey, fruit, juices are being poured on the
stone idols. They flow into gutters. All eatables are wasted. Are we to see this
as mere fun? Do all these gods need gold jewels worth crores? Are costly silk
garments needed? Why tall towers and big compound walls? Why gold and
silver ‘Vimanas’ ? Are they not public property? Does religious duty mean
that we should waste money on idols and thus help the lazy Brahmins to loot
our money, enabling their people to become Indian Administrative Service
(I.A.S) Officers, Judges, State Diwans etc.? If all these are for god’s
blessings, should there be such gods? Think over.

o the Muslims follow this sort of worship of god? Do the Christians do?
Will the rationalist Indian accept all these?

MONOPOLY OF BRAHMINS

When are we to get into the right path of devotion to god? When I ask
this, the Brahmins dub us as atheists. Believing these Brahmins and their
hirelings, the ignorant people raise the cry against us that god is in danger,
religion is in danger! Is behaving in this barbarous way, theism or atheism?
Whatever it be, we will not be cowed down by their hindering activities.
Whatever we feel right, we will boldly say. We say Hindu religion and gods
are dreadful diseases. Unless they are effaced out of existence our people
cannot and country would not prosper. We say what we feel.

It is for you to think and act. We don’t compel you to believe what all we
say as the Brahmins do. They say that if anyone believes god he will go to
heaven. If anyone does not believe he will go to hell.

When I left the Congress party in 1925, I realized that our politics was
under the monopoly of Brahmins. In the name of struggle for freedom of
India it is the Brahmins who played the major role. Their struggle was not for
establishing a good government for the people. There was no common cause
behind the struggle. I was for crushing the Brahmin monopoly. I realized that
god, religion and castes make them strong to exploit others and lead a happy
life. I started the Self-Respect Movement myself and enlisted the co-
operation of others. Congress pursued a policy of concentrating only on
political reform. It neglected the social field. In the name of implementing a
constructive programme, the Congress wanted to grab power and establish
political domination. While my main aim was social reform and as I was
doing my best to eradicate the evils in the name of god, religion, caste,
dharma and sastras (Hindu Doctrines), I had to take steps to prevent Brahmin
domination in politics.

My public life was multi-faced. My responsibilities increased. I had to

swim against the current. My work was in fact a very tough one. If I counter
the Brahmins politically, they made a march in the social field. If I countered
them in the social field, they cleverly made a march in the political field. I
had to arouse the feelings of the innocent Dravidian people in both the fields.
I had to face a lot of difficulties in this task.

With all that, there was yet another trouble to me from my own men.
Those who have become my followers attained maturity in many matters and
gained publicity among the public. They became pawns in the hands of the
enemies. Many actually opposed me and my work. I could only say that they
did so as Prahaladan or Vibishanan did. After serving the public for 40 years
I don’t find any other reason for their acts. It is for the wise people to assess
the value of my service in the past 40 years.

WHY DRAVIDIANS DEMAND EQUAL STATUS?

We find Brahmin-Sudra differentiation in temples, shrines, schools,

public roads, hotels, etc. Were the high and low discriminations, created by
us or by Brahmins? If any one should think over all these, no one will dare to
call us communalists.

The Brahmins do not for a moment realise that it is wrong to lower us to

disgraceful state and at the same time raising themselves as the highest and
respectable. What all we demand is equal status with self respect. But this is
considered as a great sin or blunder.

They call it a godly movement or theist movement by safeguarding Aryan

doctrines and Varnasharama Dharma (Colour based casteism code), at the
same time making others as Sudras and Untouchables. But our Movement
which stands for the destruction of Sudra name and untouchability is dubbed
as atheists. They say that to talk with us (Dravidians) , or to see us is sinful.
But they say it is not sinful to fall at their feet. They say it is not sinful to call
them ‘Samy’.

They say it is not sinful to see or touch the things to be offered to

Brahmins. Nothing should be distributed to us first, they say. They insist that
we should take them only after they have touched and tasted. They say we go
to heaven by prostrating before them and drinking the water after washing
their feet. They tuck the sacred thread they wear in the ear as they pass urine
or motion. They say that they escape pollution by this. They will wear the
thread only after a bath or when they deem they are pure and clean. Similarly
they tuck the thread in the ear when they talk to the Sudras. Is it all non-
communalism? We are asked to close our mouth with the hand or anything,
when we talk to them. They object to the sound waves touching them.

We can cite thousands of such examples. Yet they, who stand in the way
of our progressive life call us communalists and atheists. Many of us forfeit
our human rights. Many are afraid of Brahmins. We should deem it a duty to
make our people aware of their rights.

Look at what is happening in our politics. The Congress movement,

started to get posts for them, was named as a national movement. They
(Brahmins) are heaping evils on us as partners. They help the govt., and
occupy high posts fetching 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 rupees as salary. They
live, by supporting the government enjoying its favour, to grab high positions
in the courts and educational institutions.

When we aspire for any of these, the Brahmins say that we are not fit.
When we want to get ourselves made fit, they say we are unpatriotic and
communalistic.

So it is absolutely desirable to have a separate Movement for us. Only

then we will be able to solve our problems. We need a Movement to face our
difficulties. We need a Movement to find a solution to our problems. We
should gain freedom with self-respect. We should all come together and work
hard in the Movement. Everyone should play his part in the Movement.

*~*~*