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Home / IAS Preparation / Depressed Class Movements

Depressed Class Movements: Important Leaders And Movements!

Last Updated on Nov 18, 2024
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The oppression and unresponsiveness of the traditional social order were lamentable. This oppression caused the rise of the Depressed class movement in India. Different people had different views on the depressed classes. Jyotirao Phule used the term "Dalit" to refer to the Hindu untouchable castes. Mahatma Gandhi used the term "Harijan" for the oppressed, dejected, or Dalit classes.

Fig: Jyotirao Phule

In this article, we will explore the features of Depressed Class Movement in India. This forms a major part of the UPSC IAS exam, and questions related to this topic are seen in Prelims, UPSC Mains Paper I, as well as in UPSC History Optional. This topic is equally important for the UGC NET History exam.

Let us study the features of some significant Depressed class movements in India.

Satyashodhak Samaj and Jyotiba or Jyotirao Phule

Jyotiba Phule, a mali (gardener) community member, was born in Satara, Maharashtra. Sarvajanik Satyadharma and Gulamgiri, two of Phule's writings, inspired the general populace. In contrast to the brahmins' use of Rama, Phule used the sign of Rajah Bali. 

The caste system and socio-economic inequality were Phule's main political targets. Sanskrit Hinduism was something he opposed. He organized a strong movement in opposition to brahminical and upper caste domination. It was known as Satyashodhak Movement or Samaj.

Let us explore some contributions of Phule to the Depressed Class Movement.

For Daltis

Phule established the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873. Malis, telis, kunbis, saris, and dhangars made up the leadership of the samaj. 

  • The movement's primary objective was social service. 
  • It also worked to promote education among women and members of lower castes.
  • This movement offered the oppressed communities a sense of identity. 
  • They protested against the brahmins who used religion to their financial advantage.

For Women Education

Phule was a pioneer in women's education and a strong supporter of gender equality.

  • His wife, Savitribai, assisted him in opening a girls' school in Poona. 
  • He was a leader in the Maharashtra widow remarriage movement.
  • He founded a home for widows in 1854. 
  • For his efforts in social reform, Phule received the title "Mahatma."

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Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Movement

It emerged from the conflict between the upper castes and the depressed classes. It was an important Depressed class movement. Sree Narayana Guru Swamy began it among the Ezhavas of Kerala.

  • Ezhavas were a backward caste of toddy tappers. They were prohibited from receiving an education and entering temples. 
  • The Ezhavas comprised the largest caste in Kerala, accounting for 26% of the total population. 

Sree Narayana Guru believed that all religions were equal. He criticized animal sacrifice and division based on caste, race, or creed.

  • He advised the Ezhavas to quit drinking alcohol and to stop working as toddy tappers.
  • In 1888, Narayana Guru installed a stone from the Neyyar river at Aruvippuram as a Sivalinga on Shivaratri. 
  • It was meant to show that higher classes did not have exclusive rights to idol worship.
  • With this, he started a revolution that eliminated many forms of discrimination in Keralan society. 
  • Famous poet Kumaran Asan joined the Aruvippuram movement and became a follower of Narayana Guru. 

Fig: Sree Narayana Guru

The Aruvippuram Kshetra Yogam was founded in 1889. It became a large organization to aid the Ezhavas in material and spiritual advancement.

  • The Aruvippuram Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Yogam was formed in 1903 under the Indian Companies Act.
  • Narayana Guru was its permanent chairman, and Kumaran Asan was its secretary.

Let us look at a few critical features of Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Movement.

Issues addressed by Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Movement 

Some of the major issues addressed by Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Movement are

  • The right to enroll in public schools
  • Hiring into government positions
  • Access to roads and temples
  • Political representation

Changes brought by Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Movement are

  • A federation of "backward castes" into a sizable agglomeration
  • A shift in the conventional allocation of power
  • Upward social mobility

Justice Movement

C.N. Mudaliar, T.M. Nair, and P. Tyagaraja initiated this Depressed class movement in Madras Presidency. The goal was to get non-Brahmins jobs and representation in the assembly. The Madras Presidency Association was started in 1917. It called for the lower castes to have distinct representation in the assembly.

Fig: T.M. Nair

Self-Respect Movement

E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, a Balija Naidu, founded this Depressed class movement in the middle of the 1920s. The movement's sole goal was to reject brahminical religion. Naicker believed brahman culture to be the primary means of exploiting the lower castes. He attempted to weaken their position by carrying out weddings without the presence of brahmin priests.

Fig; E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker

Learn more about  Kakatiya Dynasty- Its Rulers, Administration, Economy And Culture

Temple Entry Movement

T.K. Madhavan was a well-known social reformer and editor of Deshabhimani. He approached the government on the issue of temple entry. But no action was taken.

Let us learn about the two major Depressed class movements in India which aimed at Temple Entry.

Vaikom Satyagraha

Vaikom became the main focus of the movement for temple entry. The Vaikom Satyagraha, led by K.P. Kesava, was started in 1924 in Kerala. 

  • It called for the untouchables to be given entry to Hindu temples and roadways. 
  • Jathas from Madurai and Punjab supported the satyagraha in their efforts. 
  • Gandhi traveled around Kerala in support of the cause.

Temple Entry In Kerala

Kerala organized a temple entry movement in 1931 after the Civil Disobedience Movement was put on hold. 

  • The poet Subramaniyam Tirumambu led a party of sixteen volunteers to Guruvayur after being inspired by K. Kelappan. 
  • Among the satyagrahis were leaders like P. Krishna Pillai and A.K. Gopalan. 
  • The Maharaja of Travancore finally issued a decree on November 12, 1936, opening all government-run temples to all Hindus.
  • In 1938, the C. Rajagopalachari administration in Madras took a similar action.

Fig: K. Kelappan

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Nair Movement

Nair Movement, an important Depressed class movement was launched in 1861 by Rama Krishna Pillai, C.V. Pillai, and K. and M. Pillai.

  • Nair or Nayar is a Hindu caste.
  • It was a movement against the Brahmins.
  • It was a response to the Nambudri Brahmins' socio-political hegemony over the Brahmins who weren't from Kerala.
  • Malayali Memorial was found by Pillai in 1891.
  • Nair Service Society was founded in 1914.

Fig: C.V. Raman Pillai

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Role Of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Ambedkar believed that the caste issue was a political one and sought a political solution to help the underprivileged sections. Ambedkar believed that if the so-called depressed classes were not treated equally within it, political democracy was useless.

  • Ambedkar believed that the caste system should be abolished since it was unreformable.
  • He founded the "Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha" in 1923. Its goal was to bring culture and education to the underprivileged.
  • He founded the Samaj Samta Sangh in 1927. He also launched the Marathi fortnightly Bahishkrit Bharat in the same year.
  • Also, he started to fight for the right to access Hindu temples.
  • He started many depressed class movements. 
  • Ambedkar ceremonially burned copies of the ancient Hindu literature Manusmriti in a conference in late 1927. He openly denounced it for supporting caste prejudice and "untouchability."

Fig: B.R. Ambedkar

Important Depressed Class Movements At Glance

The following table gives details of important depressed class movement:

Movement

Location

Leaders

Features

Satyashodhak Movement

Maharashtra

Jyotiba Phule
  • For the emancipation of low castes, untouchables, and widows
  • Against brahminic dominance.

Mahar Movement

Maharashtra

B.R. Ambedkar
  • Started Depressed Classes Institution in 1924
  • Started the Samaj Samta Sangh in 1927
  • Started the Marathi fortnightly Bahiskrit Bharat in 1927
  • Started the Scheduled Caste Federation in 1942.

Nadar Movement

Tamil Nadu

Soundarapandian Nadar
  • The Nadar Mahajan Sangam was established in 1910 
  • To combat social prejudice
  • To advance the social and educational welfare of the Nadars.

Self-Respect Movement 

Tamil Nadu

E. V. Ramaswami Naicker 
  • Periyar founded the Kudi Arasu magazine in 1910 
  • Started to protest against brahminical casteism.

Aravippuram Movement 

Kerala

Shri Narayana Guru
  • To advocate for the rights of the lower classes.

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Conclusion

The poor perception of British rule as a cause of the oppressions of traditional order stayed constant. The anti-Brahman movement never created a stable nationalist plan. These movements vary in their strength from region to region. In Maharashtra, Phule constructed a new shared identity for lower castes. It never made it to the untouchables in Madras.

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Depressed Class Movement FAQs

Ambedkar founded the Depressed Classes Association. This came after he disagreed with Mahatma Gandhi during the Second Round Table Conference. The main goal was to reserve seats at educational facilities. It also demanded a separate election process for selecting dalit representatives.

The term "depressed classes" and "backward classes" were first used outside India. The poor and oppressed groups in society were called the "depressed classes" in English.

At Nagpur, the All India Depressed Classes Association was established, with M. C. Rajah as its inaugural president.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar started the All India Depressed Classes Association. This organization was founded in 1930. The goal was to ensure that the Scheduled Castes had fair representation in India's decision-making.

On October 18, 1906, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde established the "Depressed Classes Mission." The goal was to fight untouchability all over the country.
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