Periyar's Atheism: Towards an Egalitarian Society
Introduction
E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, was a prominent social reformer, rationalist, and politician in 20th century India. He is widely regarded as the father of the Dravidian movement and played a pivotal role in the Self-Respect Movement, which aimed to eradicate the caste system and achieve social equality in Tamil Nadu.
One of the key aspects of Periyar's ideology was his rejection of the concept of God. He was an avowed atheist and vocally propagated the idea of abolishing religion and God-worship. However, Periyar's atheism was fundamentally different from the atheistic worldviews that emerged in the West. While Western atheism was largely grounded in scientific and philosophical arguments against the existence of God, Periyar's denial of God was driven by his overarching goal of establishing an egalitarian society free from the shackles of caste, religion, and other forms of social oppression.
This article aims to explore Periyar's perspective on the denial of God and how it differed from the Western conception of atheism. It will also analyze the deeper motivations and social context that shaped Periyar's brand of atheism, which he viewed as a necessary step towards achieving his vision of a just and equitable society.
Periyar's Critique of God and Religion
At the core of Periyar's atheistic beliefs was his conviction that the idea of God and the religious structures built around it were the primary obstacles to the establishment of an egalitarian social order. He believed that the concept of God, as propagated by the dominant religious traditions in India, particularly Hinduism, was inherently linked to the perpetuation of the caste system and other forms of social hierarchy and discrimination.
In Periyar's view, the notion of God was used by the upper-caste elites to justify and maintain their privileged status in society. The sacred texts and religious scriptures, such as the Vedas and Puranas, were seen as serving the interests of the dominant castes, legitimizing their power and authority over the lower castes. Periyar argued that the divine sanction bestowed upon the caste system through religious narratives made it virtually impossible to challenge the existing social order.
Moreover, Periyar contended that the idea of God was a tool used by the ruling classes to control and manipulate the masses. He believed that the fear of divine retribution and the promise of rewards in the afterlife were employed to keep the oppressed and marginalized sections of society compliant and submissive to the established social and political structures.
Periyar's criticism of religion went beyond the mere rejection of God's existence. He viewed religion as a comprehensive system of beliefs and practices that perpetuated social inequality, oppression, and the subjugation of women. In his writings and speeches, he denounced the patriarchal nature of religious institutions, the exclusion of women from religious rituals and decision-making processes, and the justification of gender-based discrimination through religious doctrines.
The Humanistic Foundations of Periyar's Atheism
Periyar's atheism was not merely a philosophical or intellectual stance; it was deeply rooted in his commitment to humanistic values and his unwavering determination to create a just and equitable society. Unlike the Western atheistic traditions that were often driven by a scientific or rationalistic worldview, Periyar's denial of God was primarily motivated by his concern for the welfare and empowerment of the oppressed masses.
Periyar believed that the concept of God, as propagated by the dominant religious traditions, was inherently antithetical to the principles of social justice and human dignity. He argued that the hierarchical structure of the divine realm, with God at the apex and the rest of the creation arranged in a rigid, stratified order, mirrored and reinforced the hierarchical social structure of the caste system.
In Periyar's view, the belief in a supreme, all-powerful deity who had the authority to decide the fate of human beings undermined the agency and self-determination of the individuals, particularly the marginalized sections of society. He believed that the deification of the existing social order through religious narratives denied the oppressed the right to challenge and transform the structures of oppression.
Periyar's atheism, therefore, was not merely a rejection of the existence of God, but a fundamental challenge to the social, political, and economic structures that perpetuated inequality and injustice. He firmly believed that the denial of God and the dismantling of the religious institutions that upheld the caste system were necessary preconditions for the establishment of a truly egalitarian society.
Periyar's Atheism and the Dravidian Movement
Periyar's atheistic beliefs were closely intertwined with the larger Dravidian movement, which sought to challenge the dominance of the Brahminical, upper-caste Hindu social and cultural hegemony in Tamil Nadu. The Dravidian movement, spearheaded by Periyar, aimed to emancipate the non-Brahmin, lower-caste communities from the oppressive social and economic structures that had been perpetuated for centuries.
Periyar understood that the religious and cultural narratives propagated by the Brahminical tradition were instrumental in the perpetuation of the caste system and the marginalization of the Dravidian communities. He believed that the denial of God and the rejection of the religious institutions that upheld the caste hierarchy were integral to the Dravidian emancipation project.
Periyar's atheism, therefore, was not merely a philosophical or personal stance, but a strategic tool in the larger struggle for social transformation. He recognized that the religious and cultural narratives that legitimized the caste system were deeply entrenched in the social fabric of Tamil Nadu, and that the denial of God and the dismantling of the religious institutions were necessary steps towards the creation of a more equitable and just society.
Periyar's Atheism and the Western Tradition
While Periyar's atheism shared certain similarities with the Western atheistic traditions, it was also fundamentally distinct in its underlying motivations and goals. In the West, the denial of God's existence was largely driven by scientific and philosophical arguments that challenged the traditional theistic worldview.
Thinkers such as Charles Darwin, Bertrand Russell, and Jean-Paul Sartre, among others, had developed robust critiques of the idea of God, based on their understanding of the natural world and their philosophical analyses of the human condition. These Western atheistic traditions were primarily concerned with the epistemological and metaphysical questions surrounding the existence of God, and they sought to establish alternative, non-theistic frameworks for understanding the universe and the human experience.
In contrast, Periyar's atheism was not primarily focused on the philosophical or scientific arguments against the existence of God. Instead, his denial of God was motivated by his deep-seated commitment to social justice and his desire to dismantle the oppressive social structures that were legitimized and perpetuated through religious narratives.
Periyar recognized that the concept of God, as it was understood and propagated in the Indian context, was inextricably linked to the caste system, patriarchal norms, and other forms of social inequality. He believed that the denial of God and the rejection of the religious institutions that upheld these structures were necessary steps towards the creation of an egalitarian society.
In this sense, Periyar's atheism was not merely an intellectual or philosophical position, but a strategic and pragmatic tool in the larger struggle for social transformation. His denial of God was not an end in itself, but a means to an end – the establishment of a just, equitable, and inclusive society that would empower the marginalized and oppressed sections of the population.
Periyar's Approach to Atheism and Social Change
Periyar's approach to atheism and social change was multifaceted and dynamic. He recognized that the denial of God and the rejection of religious institutions were not enough to achieve the desired social transformation. He also understood that the task of eradicating the deeply entrenched caste system and other forms of oppression would require a comprehensive and sustained effort on multiple fronts.
One of the key aspects of Periyar's approach was his emphasis on mass mobilization and popular education. He believed that the denial of God and the dismantling of the religious institutions could not be achieved through the efforts of a small intellectual elite, but rather required the active participation and support of the masses.
To this end, Periyar launched a vigorous campaign to spread his message of atheism and social justice among the people. He organized public meetings, rallies, and conferences, where he passionately articulated his vision for a casteless and egalitarian society. He also utilized the power of print media, publishing a wide range of literature, including books, pamphlets, and periodicals, to disseminate his ideas and mobilize the masses
