LOWER CASTE MOVEMENTS
Reasons :-
- Sanskritisation process was the constant factor.
- Commercialisation of agriculture benefitted intermediate castes who provided leadership to the movements.
- The British introduced for the first time rule of law and equality before the law. Lord Macaulay introduced both the ideas with his Regulation XI.
In the new administration, caste based occupation were replaced by merit, creating a favourable atmosphere for the lower caste and community came out with claims and counter claims.
- The British conducted Census form 1909 on the basis of caste and community for the purpose of reserving jobs, as a result each caste and community came out with claims and counter claims.
- Christianity was equally responsible by imparting education and by infusing a sense of self respect among the lower castes.
MOVEMENTS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY :-
1. In 1916, the South Indian People's Association, a political party transformed into a Justice Party; founded by Petty Tyagaroy Chetty, C.M. Nair and T.N. Mudaliar. The party opposed the domination of Brahmins in politics, education and govt. services. The Party contested the 1923 general election and formed the first elected government in Madras Presidency under Subburayulu Reddiyar as the Chief Minister, However it very soon lost its support with the lower castes as it catered more the interests of the intermediate castes.
2. Self Respect Movement :- Started by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, popular as Periyar. It was the first to start the practice of burning Manusmriti and the marriages without priests. Periyar founded the Journal 'Kudi Arasu' to propagate his ideology. The movement even inspired the formation of political parties DMK, championing the cause of the Dravida culture.
3. In Derals. C.V. Raman Pillai wrote the novel "Martandavarms" exhorting the past glory of Nair Community. Munnattu Padmanrbha Pillai founded Nair welfare society.
4. In Kerala, Narayan guru championed the cause of untouchables EZAVA Cmmunity and decamanded temple entry. He started the movement S.N.D.P.Y (Sriman Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yoham) with the slogan 'One God One Religion and One Monking'
5. In Karnataka, Justise C.R. Reddy founded 'Prajawitra Mandali'. political party, ananti - Brahmin Platform.
In Andhra Pradesh. Enugula Veeraswamy Naidu started anti - bonded labour movement movement (Vetti Movement)
Tripura Neni Ramaswamy Chaudhuri Started anti Brahmin movement called Brahmana Vyatirekodyamant.
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY :-
Mahatma Jyotibha Phule was the pioneer of the lower caste movements in Bombay Presidency. A mali by profession, Jyotiba championed the cause of untouchable Mahar Community. He founded Satyasodhak Samaj and wrote the famous Ghulamgiri and Sarvajanik Satyadharmadha Pustak.
In 1904, V.M. Shinde founded Bombay Presidency Depressed Class Mission Society.
DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR :-
The first graduate of the Mahar Community submitted his thesis on "Indian Rupee". Employed in the service of the state of Baroda, founded the journals Mukhnayak (Dumb Man) and Bahishkrita Bharatha (Excommunicated Bharata). He founded the All India Depressed Class Association Fedreation; organised the famous Mahad Satyagraha, demanding temple entry and usage of common civil amenities of the depressed classes. He participated in all the Three Round Table conferences. demanded separate communal electorates for the depressed classes. Accordingly, the British PM, Ramsay Mac Donald announced Communal Award in Aug. 1932, providing seperate communal electorates to the depressed classes. Against the award, Gandhi observed fast unto death as a protest and finally the Poona Pact was signed between caste Hindus represented by Rajendra Prasad and Manooji with the depressed class leaders Dr. Ambedkar and M.C. Raja. As per the Pact. Congress agreed to reserve double the number of theseats for the depressed classes in the general electorate and depressed classes agreed to forego their claims for seperate communal electorates.