Why were Jyoti Rao Phule and Ramaswamy Naicker critical of National Movement? Did their criticism help national struggle in any way?

Jyotirao Phule was born in Poona in 1827 to a Mali (Gardner) family. He studied at a Marathi school, with a three-year gap at a mission school in Poona. In 1848, Phule began his work as a social reformer concerned with the education of low-caste boys and girls by opening a school for girls from low and untouchable classes.

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy was born on September 17, 1879, often known as Periyar or Thanthai. Periyar was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and the Dravidar Kazhagam. He is often regarded as the “Father of the Dravidian Movement.” In Tamil Nadu, he protested against gender and caste discrimination. The Indian state of Tamil Nadu has designated his birthday as ‘Social Justice Day’ since 2021.

Why were Jyoti Raothe Phule and Ramaswamy Naicker critical of the national movement? Did their criticism help the national struggle in any way?

Jyoti Rao Phule was an outspoken opponent of upper-caste nationalism in the fight against the British colonisation of India. He was critical of Brahmans by claiming that they had hidden their religious agenda which caused inequity in India and were now pretending as nationalists. He said that although upper-caste individuals created divisions in society and hampered the nation’s progress, they are now stating that progress cannot be achieved without putting aside differences and was now preaching unity to youths of Parsis, Muslims, and Shudras.

Phule stated that they are preaching unity now to accomplish their objectives but once the goals of freedom are achieved, upper-caste discrimination against lower castes will resume.

Periyar (E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker) was born into a middle-class family. He had thoroughly read the Sanskrit Scriptures. He later became a member of Congress.

He was angry because of the discriminatory caste-based seating arrangements made during the nationalists’ feast. Members of the upper castes sat separately in the Congress from members of the lower castes. As a result, he became dissatisfied with Congress and left the organisation. After becoming convinced that untouchables needed to fight for their dignity, Periyar launched the Self-Respect Movement.

Yes, their criticism was beneficial to the national movement. After achieving independence from British rule, nationalist leaders promised to bring equality to society. People from all castes fought together against the British. After independence, the Indian Constitution came down heavily on any kind of discrimination, particularly caste discrimination and vowed to provide equality to all people of India regardless of caste, gender, religion, financial background, political status, and so on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que 1. Why did EV Ramasamy leave Congress?

Answer : Periyar was a passionate supporter of the Non-Cooperation movement at first, but he quit the Congress in 1925 because he considered the Congress was incapable or unwilling to prioritise the interests of non-Brahmins. During his visit to Madras in 1927, he was particularly enraged by Gandhi’s pro-Brahman statements.

Que 2. What role did Jyotiba Phule play in the national movement?

Answer : Jyotiba Phule’s initiatives to laying the groundwork for the National Movement include: working for the upliftment of the lower classes and the education of women. He formed Satyashodhak Samaj to attain equal rights for peasants and lower castes.

Que 3. Which changes did Jyotiba Phule introduce for India’s oppressed people?

Answer : Jyotirao Phule suggested an unity of Ati Shudras (untouchables) and Shudras (labouring castes) to fight caste inequality.

Que 4. What were Jyotiba Phule’s thoughts on the role of education in achieving gender equality?

Answer : He believed that as long as women were not educated, the society as a whole would remain uneducated. A thousand teachers or masters could not mould a child in wisdom and character the way an educated mother could