Self-Respect Movement is a movement that was called by Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu state of India.

History

The movement is to fight against caste based suppression. Historically, dalits and non-Brahmins were not given respect by Brahmins, a form of racism. Periyar's movement calls for dalits and non-brahmins to reject caste-based submission. The movement is seen as a movement against the Brahmins, and more generally as an anti-hindu (with focus on the rituals and some forms of practice) movement.

Periyar's sayings on self-respect

• Man must remove by himself his feeling of inferiority, the feeling that he is lesser born than other beeings, and attain self-confidence and self-respect.
• We are fit to think of self-respect only when the notion of superior and inferior caste is banished from our land.
• He who does not care for dignity, is no better than to a prostitute, however highly educated he is. His edcation will only endanger those that care for dignity.
• The aim of genuine Self-respect movement is to change whatever appears to be adverse to man's feelings of self-respect.
• Man must remove by himself his feelings of inferiority, the feeling that he is lesser born than other beings, and attain self-confidence and self-respect.
• Man must hold his personal respect and dignity as precious as his life.