Who among the following founded the 'Self-Respect Movement' ?

The Self-Respect Movement was founded by E.V. Ramaswami Naicker, popularly known as Periyar, in 1925 [2]. After leaving the Indian National Congress due to its perceived reluctance to address caste inequalities and Brahminical dominance, Periyar launched this movement to advocate for social justice and the annihilation of the caste system [3]. The movement aimed to reject Brahminical religion and culture, which Periyar viewed as instruments of exploitation against lower castes [2]. Key initiatives included formalizing weddings without Brahmin priests and promoting rationalism and gender equality [2]. While Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 and B.R. Ambedkar led the Dalit liberation movement, it was Periyar who specifically established the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu to empower non-Brahmin communities and rediscover Dravidian identity [4].

Sources

1. [1] Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Regional Aspirations > Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh > p. 116
2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Self-Respect Movement > p. 226
3. [3] https://frontline.thehindu.com/social-issues/social-justice/self-respect-movement-periyar-2025-centenary-year-tamil-nadu-dravidian-politics/article70092702.ece
4. [4] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Satyashodhak Samaj and Jyotiba or Jyotirao Phule > p. 215