"Periyar" E.V. Ramasamy, a social reformer from Tamil Nadu is known for his unyielding propaganda against caste inequalities and gender based discrimination. Though some of his speeches and writings are misinterpreted today for misleading the masses and his principles are convieninetly misquoted "anti-hindu" as against "anti-casteist", he still remains as the icon of social justice in Tamil Nadu. Confining Periyar as an atheist has been an ongoing conscious attempt at diluting his ideology which encompasses annihilation of caste, gender equality, women empowerment, questioning of superstitious beliefs, rationalism and self-respect. Periyar, being an extremist, questioned the fallacy of age-old beliefs and enlightened the masses to be rational and believed that reason is the guiding light.
Periyar's voice against untouchability and caste discrimination reverberates till date. His simplistic writings on the injustice of caste-based system that garners attention of any common man makes it difficult for casteists to convert him into a harmless icon, the only other option is to tarnish his image which is what is happening now.
Periyar’s book “Why were women enslaved?” is an insightful perspective into the unfair and unequal treatment women receive in our society. Periyar lists down the aspects and ideologies that curtail the freedom of women and in turn lead to a woman’s life always being dependent on the male counterpart.
The fallacious inveterate beliefs that confine women are dealt with uncompromisingly forthright counter arguments, no matter which religion or ideology preaches them. The book gives a fitting end by stating the enslavement of women can end only when unnecessary pride in the masculinity of the opposite gender withers away or gets abolished.
There are some extreme views put forth in this book, which are debatable, but one cannot ignore or brush aside the facts emphasized here. Periyar's ideology on women empowerment needs to be spread to the masses.
Remember that these thoughts were put together in words 100 years back during a time when they would have been received with the most savage malice.
"I do not say you should believe what I have said because it alone is certain. Accept such ideas as can be accepted, with the help of your reason, after a sound inquiry. Reject the rest" - Periyar
Let us read him, understand him and subject his thoughts to inquiry. We can criticise him on the ones which we deem unacceptable and accept only those which feel right in the light of reason!
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