Periyar E. V. Ramasamy

Periyar E. V. Ramasamy led the Vaikom Satyagraha in Travancore, a non-violent protest demanding the right of lower-caste Hindus to use the road around the Vaikom temple. He was arrested twice, and the movement gained national attention.

Periyar founded the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu, advocating for the rationalism, atheism, and the destruction of caste hierarchy. The movement rejected Brahminical dominance and promoted Dravidian identity.

Periyar led protests against the introduction of Hindi as a compulsory subject in Tamil Nadu schools. The agitations forced the government to withdraw the policy, and Periyar became a symbol of Tamil linguistic pride.

Periyar took over leadership of the Justice Party, which later evolved into the Dravidar Kazhagam. He used the party to campaign for Dravidian nationalism, anti-Hindi policies, and the abolition of caste-based discrimination.