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Periyar E. V. Ramasamy〔(A biographical sketch )〕 ((タミル語:பெரியார்),) (September 17, 1879 – December 24, 1973), also known as Ramaswami, EVR, Thanthai Periyar was a Dravidian social reformer and politician from India, who founded the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam.〔Thakurta, Paranjoy Guha and Shankar Raghuraman (2004) ''A Time of Coalitions: Divided We Stand'', Sage Publications. New Delhi, p. 230.〕 On the caste system in India, Periyar dealt harshly with the practice of discrimination and its subordination of the different levels it created in society. He attacked those who used the system to take advantage of the masses through exploitation and subjugation. ==Philosophy== Periyar felt that a small number of cunning people created caste distinctions in order to dominate over society. That was why he emphasized the view that we must first develop self-respect and learn to analyze propositions rationally. A self-respecting rationalist will readily realize that caste system has been stifling self-respect and therefore he will strive to get rid of this menace. One of Periyar's quotes on caste was, "a sizable population today remains as ''Untouchables'', and another sizable population exists in the name of ''Sudras'' and as serfs, coolies and menials. Who wants an independence that cannot help change these things? Who wants religion, scriptures and gods, which cannot bring about a change in this sphere"?〔Gopalakrishnan, ''Periyar: Father of the Tamil race'', pp. 60 & 61.〕 Periyar explained that the caste system in south India is, due to Indo-Aryan influence, linked with the arrival of Brahmins from the north. Ancient Tamil Nadu (part of Tamilakkam) had a different stratification of society in four or five regions (''Tinai''), determined by natural surroundings and adequate means of living.〔Diehl, ''E.V. Ramasamy Naiker-Siriyar'', p. 61.〕 Periyar also mentions that birds, animals, and worms, which are considered to be devoid of rationalism do not create castes, or differences of high and low in their own species. But man considered to be a rational being, is suffering from these because of religion. He further explains that amongst dogs you do not have a Brahmin dog, or a Pariah (untouchable) dog. Among donkeys and monkeys we also do not find such things. But, amongst men there is such discrimination.〔Veeramani, ''Collected Works of Periyar'', pp. 72 & 73.〕 Periyar argued on how a person with an iota of sense or rationalism in could do such things such as giving special treatment only to Brahmins. Some examples practiced were for lower castes to fall at their feet and to even, sometimes, wash their feet and drink that water. Periyar explains that if this is Hindu doctrine and philosophy, such a religion must go. He gives examples of rituals such as christening, house warming, marriage, and for puberty, that they are for the Brahmin's gain as the only ones to conduct these occasions. We do not respect our knowledge nor are we ashamed of our actions. Are we merely a mass of flesh and bones? Why should anybody get angry when I say all these to make you think over. Who is responsible of our degradation? Is it religion or government"?〔 Gandhi advocated for the caste system in its preservation. On the question of ''Untouchables'' being prevented from drawing water from wells and entering temples, Gandhi suggested having separate wells and temples made for them instead.〔Veeramani, ''Collected Works of Periyar'', p. 523.〕 Periyar argued against this by demanding the Vedas of Indo-Aryans to be burnt and their deities to be destroyed since it was their creation of the castes and ''Untouchables''. He also went on to state that "it was absurd to quote religion, god, or religious doctrines to render people as lowest castes".〔Veeramani, ''Collected Works of Periyar'', p. 511.〕 Periyar argued that the caste system has "perverted peoples ideas about human conduct. The principle of different codes of conduct for each caste based on birth and life, led in accordance with it for centuries, have spoiled the Hindu mentality almost beyond repair, and destroyed the idea of uniformity in conduct. Graded inequality has got so much into the Hindu blood that general intelligence is warped and refused to mend even after English education and higher standards of living".〔Veeramani, ''Collected Works of Periyar'', p. 463.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and the eradication of caste」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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