Tamil Nadu Timeline

Social ReformNational and Dravidian movements

First Provincial Self-Respect Conference at Chengalpattu

· Chengalpattu

First Provincial Self-Respect Conference at Chengalpattu
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The first provincial conference of the Self-Respect Movement at Chengalpattu passed resolutions against caste and for women's rights.

The first provincial Self-Respect conference was held at Chengalpattu in February 1929 under the leadership of E. V. Ramasamy. It adopted resolutions calling for the abolition of caste distinctions and the dropping of caste titles, and Periyar announced that he was dropping the caste title Naicker from his name. The conference also supported women's rights, including the right to divorce, property rights and the right to choose a marriage partner, and opposed child marriage. It marked the movement's emergence as an organised force in the Presidency.

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