Naicker, E.V. Ramasamy (“Periyar”)

E.V. Ramasamy Naicker is renowned as one the leading figures in the anti-caste struggle in Tamil Nadu in particular and India in general. He is popularly known as “Periyar.” His era of anti-caste struggle is considered as an epoch-shattering moment in the Indian history. Periyar was born at Erode, Tamil Nadu, in the year 1879. Being a middle-class family member, he left his formal education and became part of the family business. His rational approach made him to leave mendicancy ([2], p. 27). Periyar was skeptical about the practices within Hinduism. His critical approach toward religion leads to his affinity toward the issues surrounding polity. He joined Congress in a period that was marked by anti-caste/non-Brahmin struggles. Periyar’s entry into Congress can be seen as a departure in the case of social composition of Congress in which majority were Brahmins. As a non-Brahmin leader, Periyar became powerful with the party. His critique to Congress was that it is Brahmanical in...