(a) ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
(b) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(c) Bhaskarrao Jadhav
(d) Dinkarrao Javalkar
Ans-a
Explanation
E. V. Ramaswamy, Periyar from a merchant family of Erode. He had joined Congress in 1919, then gradually became disillusioned with what he saw as its Brahminic leadership.
In the early 1920s, he took part in the Vaikom Temple Satyagraha, reportedly clashing with Gandhi while taking a militant position. Nonetheless, Periyar returned to Tamil Nadu as the hero of Vaikom.
He subsequently clashed with Congress leaders over the proposed resolution for reservations in the legislatures for non-Brahmins and untouchables.
In 1925, Periyar left Congress.
Self-Respect League
Periyar formed the Self-Respect League in 1926 and its first conference was held in 1929. This movement spread across Tamil Nadu. Its focus was Opposing Brahmin priesthood, calling for abolition of caste and supporting the liberation of women, he attacked all religions taking an atheist stance
- There is no God,
- There is no God,
- There is no God at all.
- He who invented God is a fool.
- He who propagates God is a scoundrel.
- He who worships God is a barbarian.
In 1927, during a tour of South India, Gandhiji defended Varanashrama Dharma and Periyar contested this hotly in personal meetings and in articles in his journal Kudi Arasu, he now claimed that three conditions were necessary for the country to gain its freedom.
- Destruction of the Congress,
- Of the so-called Hindu religion and
- Of Brahmin domination.
Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2025