Gyanpradayani

The Self Respect Movement had provided space for and encouraged political activism among Women.The Self Respect Movement (Suyamariathai Iyakkam) was launched by E.V.Ramasamy Naicker Periyar in 1926.It's consistent struggle against women's oppression and it's attempt to dismantle the ubiquitous structure of patriarchy in Tamil society.This silence is significant becsbec the question of women's emancipation was one of the central themes in the political agenda of the Self Respect Movement, especially during early phase. E.V. Ramasami Naicker Periyar,a Balija Naidu from Erode, began as a merchant,then Ybecame a Municipal council chairman of Erode, and later a local congress leader.ln 1924 he became the leader of Vaikom satyagrah and was twice arrested.ln 1924 after breaking with the congress,he began to articulate his views on such institution of Tamil society like religion,cast hierarchy and patriarchy.He called for a total break with the retrograde elements of the Ta