E.V.R. Maniammai: Supported Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement, Advocated Women’s Rights

 

E.V.R. Maniammai: Supported Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement, Advocated Women’s Rights

Introduction
E.V.R. Maniammai (1917–1978) was a fearless social activist and a pillar of the Self-Respect Movement, working alongside E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) to challenge caste oppression and champion women’s rights in Tamil Nadu. As Periyar’s second wife and a dedicated reformer, Maniammai devoted her life to promoting equality, rationalism, and women’s empowerment. Her contributions extended the legacy of the Self-Respect Movement, ensuring its ideals reached the masses. This note delves into the reasons behind her involvement, the course of her activism, and the enduring results of her efforts, presented in simple and inspiring language.

Reasons for Inception
Maniammai’s entry into social reform was driven by the turbulent social and political climate of mid-20th-century Tamil Nadu, combined with her personal experiences and association with Periyar. Key factors that inspired her activism include:

Caste and Gender Inequality: Tamil society was steeped in caste hierarchies, with Brahmins dominating social, religious, and political spheres. Women, especially from lower castes, faced double oppression—denied education, property rights, and autonomy. Maniammai, born into a modest family, witnessed these injustices firsthand.

Influence of Periyar: Maniammai met Periyar in the 1940s while working as a volunteer in the Dravidar Kazhagam, the organization he founded. His radical ideas—rejecting caste, religion, and patriarchal norms—resonated with her, igniting her passion for social justice.

Need for Women’s Leadership: The Self-Respect Movement emphasized women’s rights, but few women held leadership roles. Maniammai saw an opportunity to amplify women’s voices, inspired by earlier activists like Nagammai, Periyar’s first wife.

Political and Social Awakening: The 1940s were marked by India’s freedom struggle and growing regional movements in Tamil Nadu. Maniammai was drawn to the Dravidian ideology, which sought to uplift non-Brahmins and promote Tamil identity, aligning with her vision of an equal society.

Personal Commitment: Maniammai’s marriage to Periyar in 1948, despite controversy due to their age difference, was rooted in shared ideals. She saw her role as a partner in his mission, determined to carry forward his fight against social evils.

Course of Her Activism
Maniammai’s contributions to the Self-Respect Movement and women’s rights unfolded through leadership, grassroots activism, and organizational efforts. Her work was marked by courage and dedication, even in the face of opposition.

Leadership in Dravidar Kazhagam:

After marrying Periyar in 1948, Maniammai became a key figure in the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK). When Periyar’s health declined, she took on leadership roles, organizing rallies, conferences, and campaigns to spread the movement’s message.

She ensured the DK remained true to its anti-caste and feminist principles, countering internal dissent from members who opposed her leadership due to her gender and age.

Advocacy for Women’s Rights:

Maniammai championed women’s education, property rights, and freedom from oppressive traditions like child marriage and dowry. She organized women’s wings within the DK, encouraging them to speak out against patriarchy.

She promoted self-respect marriages, which eliminated Brahmin priests and caste rituals, empowering women to choose partners freely. These marriages became a hallmark of the movement’s feminist ethos.

Maniammai supported birth control and reproductive rights, radical ideas for her time, arguing that women should control their bodies and family decisions.

Grassroots Mobilization:

Maniammai traveled across Tamil Nadu, addressing rural and urban audiences. Her speeches, delivered in simple Tamil, inspired women and lower-caste communities to embrace self-respect and reject superstition.

She led protests against caste-based discrimination, such as temple entry bans for lower castes, and supported inter-caste marriages to break social barriers.

Preserving Periyar’s Legacy:

After Periyar’s death in 1973, Maniammai became the president of the DK, ensuring his ideas continued to shape Tamil Nadu’s social landscape. She edited and published Periyar’s writings in the DK’s journal, Viduthalai, making his philosophy accessible to new generations.

She established the Periyar Library and Periyar Rationalist Propaganda Institution to promote rationalism and social justice.

Cultural and Educational Initiatives:

Maniammai supported Tamil language and culture, opposing the imposition of Hindi and Sanskrit. She believed Tamil identity was key to empowering non-Brahmin communities.

She founded schools and hostels for underprivileged children, particularly girls, to provide education and opportunities denied by caste and gender norms.

Results and Impact
Maniammai’s tireless efforts amplified the Self-Respect Movement’s reach and left a profound impact on Tamil society. Her contributions yielded significant outcomes:

Strengthening the Self-Respect Movement: Maniammai’s leadership ensured the DK remained a vibrant force after Periyar’s death. Her organizational skills kept the movement united, spreading its anti-caste and feminist ideals across Tamil Nadu and beyond.

Advancement of Women’s Rights: Her advocacy led to greater awareness of women’s issues, influencing policies like increased access to education and legal protections against dowry. Self-respect marriages gained popularity, challenging traditional norms and empowering women.

Empowerment of Marginalized Communities: Maniammai’s grassroots campaigns inspired lower-caste communities to demand equality and dignity. Her work contributed to social policies like reservations for backward classes in education and jobs.

Promotion of Rationalism: By preserving Periyar’s writings and promoting rationalist thought, Maniammai fostered a culture of questioning superstition and religious orthodoxy. This legacy continues to influence Tamil Nadu’s progressive ethos.

Political Influence: The DK’s ideas, carried forward by Maniammai, shaped Dravidian parties like the DMK and AIADMK, which adopted policies rooted in social justice and Tamil identity. Her work indirectly influenced Tamil Nadu’s welfare-oriented governance.

Challenges and Criticism: Maniammai faced opposition from within the DK, with some members questioning her leadership due to her marriage to Periyar and her gender. The movement’s focus on Tamil Nadu limited its national impact, and some criticized its radical atheism as alienating devout communities.

Enduring Legacy: Maniammai is remembered as a trailblazer for women’s rights and social justice. Her institutions, like the Periyar Library, remain centers of progressive thought. Annual commemorations of her contributions highlight her role in shaping modern Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion
E.V.R. Maniammai was a warrior of equality, dedicating her life to the Self-Respect Movement and the fight for women’s rights. Inspired by Periyar’s vision, she transformed Tamil society through leadership, activism, and unwavering commitment. Her efforts broke barriers, empowered women, and uplifted marginalized communities, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire. Maniammai’s story is a testament to the power of courage and conviction in creating a just and inclusive world.