Social Reformist Periyar’s birthday on Sept 17 to be observed as ‘Social Justice Day’ every year

Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to celebrate birth anniversary of reformist leader E V Ramasamy Periyar on September 17 as “Social Justice Day”. Tamilnadu’s Chief Minister M K Stalin announced it at the Assembly. Periyar’s ideology revolves around equality, social justice, self-respect, women’s rights, and rationalism and has been crucial for the foundation of the Tamil society’s growth during the last century. CM Stalin believes that his ideologies have the power to be relevant even in the times to come.

The Chief Minister highlighted Periyar’s contribution to the Tamil society and his instrumental role in the enactment of the first Constitutional Amendment Act that helped in safeguarding reservation of backward classes. The Social Reformist had raised voice against Brahminical dominance and caste and gender inequality in Tamil Nadu. Periyar (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973) has been a well known social activist and politician. His Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam are remembered to date. He is addressed as the Father of the Dravidian Movement. He had been a part of the ‘Satyagraha’ in Vaikom, Travancore. His notable works have been translated into Hindi and a postage stamp was issued in his honour in the year 1978.