திராவிட இயக்கம்: வேர்களும் கருத்துகளும்

The Dravidian movement began as a social reform initiative in the early 20th century and grew into the dominant political force in Tamil Nadu, holding power continuously since 1967. Its core ideas — social equality, language pride, and opposition to caste hierarchy — continue to define Tamil politics.

திராவிட இயக்கம் 20-ஆம் நூற்றாண்டின் தொடக்கத்தில் சமூக சீர்திருத்த முயற்சியாக தொடங்கி, தமிழ்நாட்டின் தலையாய அரசியல் சக்தியாக வளர்ந்தது — 1967 முதல் தொடர்ந்து ஆட்சியில் உள்ளது. சமூக சமத்துவம், மொழிப் பெருமை, சாதியப் படிநிலை எதிர்ப்பு — இவையே தமிழக அரசியலை இன்றும் வரையறுக்கின்றன.

The Self-Respect Movement (1925)

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy founded the Self-Respect Movement (Suya Mariyathai Iyakkam) in 1925 after leaving the Indian National Congress. The movement promoted rationalism, opposed caste-based discrimination, and challenged Brahminical dominance in social and religious life. It also pioneered self-respect marriages — civil ceremonies without priests or rituals.

Key ideas of the movement

The 1965 anti-Hindi protests

When the central government planned to make Hindi the sole official language of India in 1965, Tamil Nadu erupted in protests. Students led the agitation, several lost their lives, and the unrest swept the DMK to power in 1967. The Official Languages Act was amended to ensure English would continue alongside Hindi — a settlement that still holds.

We are willing to learn Hindi as a language. We are not willing to be governed by it.— — C.N. Annadurai, 1963

Reservation in education and jobs

Tamil Nadu pioneered the broadest reservation policy in India. Today, 69% of seats in government jobs and educational institutions are reserved for backward classes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes — preserved by being placed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. This is one of the most distinctive policy outcomes of Dravidian politics.

Whatever one's political alignment, the Dravidian movement's impact on Tamil society — from temple-entry rights for Dalits to mid-day meal schemes that became national policy — is undeniable. Understanding its history is essential to understanding modern Tamil Nadu.