📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.78 | Classroom Explanation
(Modern Indian History | Social Reform Movements)

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📌 Question

Q.78)
Who among the following was the founder of the ‘Self-Respect Movement’?

(a) ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
(b) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(c) Bhaskarrao Jadhav
(d) Dinkarrao Javalka

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✅ Correct Answer: (a) ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

The Self-Respect Movement was a radical social reform movement launched in South India to dismantle caste hierarchies, Brahminical dominance, and religious orthodoxy.

It is core Dravidian movement history, frequently tested by UPSC.

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🔍 Option-wise Elimination (UPSC Method)

🔹 (a) ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker ✅

Why Correct

• Founded the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 (Tamil Nadu)
• Aimed at:
  • Annihilation of caste
  • Gender equality
  • Rationalism & atheism
  • Anti-Brahminical social order
• Encouraged:
  • Self-respect marriages (without Brahmin priests)
  • Inter-caste marriages
  • Women’s rights (inheritance, education)

📌 High-Value UPSC Link

• Ideological foundation of:
  • Dravidar Kazhagam (DK)
  • Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
• Known as “Thanthai Periyar” (Father Periyar)

✔️ Founder + ideology + region → Perfect UPSC match

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🔹 (b) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar ❌

Profile

• Leader of Dalit emancipation
• Architect of Indian Constitution
• Movements:
  • Mahad Satyagraha
  • Temple entry movements
  • Buddhism conversion (1956)

📌 Why Incorrect

• Focused on Pan-Indian Dalit rights
• Did not found the Self-Respect Movement
• Ideological parallel ≠ organizational founder

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🔹 (c) Bhaskarrao Jadhav ❌

Profile

• Associated with Non-Brahmin movement in Maharashtra
• Regional social reformer

📌 Why Incorrect

• No link to Self-Respect Movement
• UPSC trap: Non-Brahmin leader ≠ Periyar movement

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🔹 (d) Dinkarrao Javalka ❌

Profile

• Rationalist thinker
• Influenced by Western rationalism

📌 Why Incorrect

• Philosophical influence, not movement founder
• No organizational leadership of Self-Respect Movement

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“Self-Respect began in the South — led by Periyar against caste and priestcraft.”

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📍 GS Mapping

Non-Brahmin & Dravidian Movements

GS Paper I

Modern Indian History

Social & Religious Reform Movements

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