Non-Brahman Movement
The non-Brahman movement was an initiative from the non-brahman castes who had acquired education and wealth and argued Brahmans were heirs of Aryans and conquered southern lands from the original Dravidian races.
E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker or Periyar became a member of Congress but left it due to caste distinctions and convinced that lower castes had to fight for their dignity and organized the Self Respect Movement. He argued untouchables were true upholders of Tamil and Dravidian culture which has been subjugated by Brahmins. He criticized the Codes of Manu and Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana; as he said these texts were used to establish the authority of Brahmans over lower castes and women.
These assertions did not go unchallenged and also did lead to a rethinking of self-criticism among upper-caste nationalist leaders. But orthodox Hindus also reacted by forming Sanatan Dharma Sabhas and Bharat Dharma Mahamandal, the main objectives of which were to uphold caste distinctions and how it is sanctified by scriptures. Debates of caste and prejudice are prevalent even today but obviously with many changes and adjustments.
CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 8 – Women, Caste and Reform
Even after independence from British rule, women still hadn’t achieved independence and are struggling for it. But reformers have tried to reform our society and have succeeded to a large extent.
Differences were not only in gendered context but people were also divided along caste lines and certain castes were considered “polluting” and “untouchables”. They weren’t allowed to enter temples, or draw water from wells and were seen as inferior humans. Over the years many of these norms and perceptions have changed slowly.