Caste Movements in India: Dalit and Anti-Caste Movements

The hierarchical caste system in India perpetuated deep social inequalities, reinforcing caste norms, social status, and discriminatory practices. Reformers and anti-caste leaders wanted to promote social justice. They aimed to address past injustices. Their goal was to create opportunities for economic empowerment and political participation for marginalized groups.

1. Self-Respect Movement (1925)

• Founders and Historical Context: The Self-Respect Movement commenced in 1925, under the direction of E.V. Ramasamy “Periyar” Naicker and S. Ramanathan.

• This movement began in Tamil Nadu. Addressing Brahminical hegemony, religious orthodoxy, and the caste system were the initial objectives of the movement. The focus of the movement was to promote self-respect, rationality, and equity among the non-Brahmin Dravidian community.

• Features of the Movement:

  • Promoted rationalism and atheism by critiquing caste hierarchy and the myths of Brahmin superiority.

  • Self-Respect Marriages advocated for simple ceremonies without priests which were later recognized legally.

  • Opposed the Devadasi system and untouchability, encouraged women's participation, and supported education for all.

  • Published Kudi Arasu (1924), Viduthalai (Freedom), and Pagutharivu (Rationalism) to raise awareness.

  • Promoted rationalism by challenging religious orthodoxy and encouraging removal of caste titles from one's name.

• Impact:

  • Dravidian movements, particularly the Justice Party, Dravidar Kazhagam, and DMK created political and social awareness.

  • Empowerment of the marginalized, especially women, and the promotion of social justice, transformed the social landscape of Tamil Nadu and politics in South India.

SNDP (Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana) Movement (1903)

• Founders and Historical Context: Sree Narayana Guru initiated the movement and in 1903 it was formally organized as the SNDP Yogam with the support of Dr. Palpu and Kumaran Asan. 

• It was during the Aravipuram Movement in 1888 in Kerala where Guru defied Brahminical ritual restrictions by himself installing a Shivalinga that the movement began to evolve.

• Features of the Movement:

  • Sought the educational, social, and economic advancement of the Ezhava community which constituted one-fourth of the population of Kerala.

  • Advocated the principle of “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind.”

  • Founded the Aravipuram Kshetra Yogam (1889) and Sivagiri Mutt (1904) as the local centers of spiritual and cultural reform.

  • Championed the elevation of the disadvantaged through the social and legal reform of temple entry rights, and the provision of schooling and state employment.

• Impact:

  • Granted the Ezhava community political and social power, laying the foundation for Kerala's subsequent model of progress based on equality.

  • Shaped subsequent Kerala reform movements, including the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.

Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–1925)

• Founders and Historical Context: The Vaikom Temple Entry Satyagraha (March 30, 1924) undertook the first temple entry movement in India. Its objective was to enable lower-caste (Avarna) people to access the temple roads of the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Travancore (Kerala).

• Major Leaders: Kelappan (Kerala Gandhi), T.K. Madhavan, K.P. Kesava Menon and Sardar Panikkar. They had robust support from Mahatma Gandhi, Periyar, and Sree Narayana Guru.

• Features of the Movement:

  • Organized as a non-violent satyagraha, inspired by Gandhian methods.

  • The Untouchability Abolition Committee (UAC) was formed under the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee to lead the campaign.

  • Involved continuous protests, arrests, and public mobilization over 604 days, showing remarkable discipline and perseverance.

• Impact:

  • It ended with partial success when authorities agreed to open temple roads to all castes in 1925.

  • It was an important moment in India’s social reform. It inspired other movements for temple entry. This led to Travancore’s Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936.

Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers’ Society – 1873)

• Founders and Historical Context: Founded by Jyotirao (Jyotiba) Phule on September 24, 1873, in Pune, Maharashtra. It was aimed at empowering the Shudras and Ati-Shudras by liberating them from Brahminical oppression and social exploitation.

• Major Leaders: Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule.

• Features of the Movement:

  •  Phule wrote Gulamgiri (1872) and Sarvajanik Satyadharma to critique caste and religion

  • Sought to provide education, social rights, and civil liberties to the underprivileged and women.

  • Opposed religious rituals and exploitation under caste structure.

  • Encouraged widow remarriage, women’s education, and rational religion (simple worship with no intermediaries).

  • Stressed that all humans are children of one God (Public Satyadharma), rejecting divinely ordained inequality.

  • Promoted economic self-reliance and domestic industries for lower castes.

• Impact:

  • It became one of the first mass movements for caste reform in India.

  • Laid the foundation for social justice, Dalit assertion, and Mahatma Phule’s influence on later leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Mahad Satyagraha (1927)

• Founders and Historical Context:
  Launched by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Mahad, Maharashtra, on March 20, 1927, also known as the Chavdar Lake Satyagraha. It sought to assert Dalits’ right to access public water bodies.

• Major Leaders: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Anandrao Chitre, and social reform workers across the Depressed Classes.

• Features of the Movement:

  • A non-violent civil disobedience campaign asserting equal civic rights.

  • Dalits drank water from the tank to break caste barriers.

  • The event symbolized social emancipation and was followed by mass burnings of the Manusmriti (a scripture endorsing caste hierarchy).

  • Highlighted Ambedkar’s principle that political freedom is meaningless without social equality.

• Impact:

  • Recognized as the first organized Dalit  movement.

  • Strengthened caste consciousness and mobilized Dalits toward collective self-respect and activism.

  • Became a precursor to the Annihilation of Caste ideology and Ambedkarite politics.

Justice Movement (1916–1917)

• Founders and Historical Context:
  Originated in the Madras Presidency under leaders like C. Natesa Mudaliar, Dr. T.M. Nair, and P. Theagaraya Chetty, representing the growing consciousness among non-Brahmin communities against administrative and educational dominance of Brahmins.

• Features of the Movement:

  • Asserted educational, legislative, and governmental rights for non-Brahmins.

  • Founded the South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party) in 1916, and subsequently entered Madras Presidency politics.

  • Voiced demands for equality, anti-Brahmin reform, and published the Justice Newspaper.

  • Fought to guarantee representation by means of quotas and reservations.

• Impact:

  • Emerged as the foundation of Dravidian politics and the social justice movement in Tamil Nadu.

  • Brought reservation policy and non-Brahmin empowerment into mainstream political discourse.

  • Inspired the Self-Respect Movement and future parties like Dravidar Kazhagam and DMK.