Periyar. File | Photo Credit: M. Moorthy
The Union (UPSC) Commission (UPSC) in the preliminary examination questionnaire on Sunday referred to the periyar caste and caused controversy. The question was read: Who of the following was the founder of the self -esteem movement? In one of the four options listed in the objective type, UPSC provided the answer: Periyar EV Ramasama Nicker, including the “naicker” caste.
After the rehearsal, candidates in Tamil Nadu got to social media, because the name of the caste became the topic of popular involvement online. The X post said, “The question was part of the scheme that Periyar should crush.” Several persons questioned the justification that asked a question that quoted the name of the caste of the social reformer, who led the fight against social discrimination. They pointed to the announcement in 1929 Periyar at the ChengalPatt conference and stated that he had removed his caste name.
However, another contribution from the leader of the BJP party shared a copy of the Supreme Court judgment on August 25, 1958 with the name of the petitioner S.Verabadran Chettiar vs Respondent EV Ramaswami Noicker and Other and others, which triggered him in the same name. His biopic “Periyar” was released in Telugo called “Periyar Ramaswamy Naicker” – why failed his caste name.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundrajan said in an interview with Mediaperons that it is not right to detain the Indian government for the question of Periyar in the post stipulated by the Union’s public service. “Setter of questions would not do this intentionally. He probably his name in the books that children read is mentioned. This is the Pan-India exam.
Published – May 26 2025 12:27
