— ✍️ Deepesh Chithra

We are celebrating 147th birth anniversary of Thanthai EVR Periyar. Revered Periyar holds a significant impact on my life and politics. I believe it might be the same for many others too. Periyar’s contribution is immense, especially in Tamil Nadu, for what we reap today. His relevance becomes even more evident when you go outside Tamil Nadu and see what humongous changes his work has made.

It has been two years since I moved to Delhi for my work. There was one thing that stands completely different, which I had to confront many times: as soon as you introduce yourself, I would say “Deepesh,” and they ask for my full name. I would say “Deepesh Kumar.” Then they ask, “What is your surname?” like a caste name such as Yadav or Sharma something like this. Many times, they ask what caste I belong to immediately after my name.

Most of these experiences happened with student groups, especially those coming to Delhi to prepare for UPSC. At the beginning, it felt a bit uncomfortable and shocking. Then I got used to it, now if they ask, I have a look at them at smiling, will say that “I FROM TAMIL NADU”. If they ask again with doubt, I would say, “In Tamil Nadu, we don’t use caste names as surnames. We had Periyar in our land.” Whenever I tell this, I feel very happy and proud to be born in Tamil Nadu. Some may argue that not everyone’s intention is to discriminate, but why would someone want to know one’s caste as soon as they meet them?

The Psychological Impact of century old Self Respect Movement Renouncing Caste Surnames

By telling this, I am not claiming that the caste system is gone in Tamil Nadu. Caste is still alive, and Dalits still face discrimination and violence even today. We have a long way to go to overcome the caste system and the discrimination and violence it causes. But cutting the visibility of caste pride is very important to wipe out the divisions that appear at the very first meeting. In this case of not using caste surnames, Tamil Nadu stands unique in the country.

Even in Tamil Nadu, people try to probe, and after several attempts, they may ask the caste with hushed embarrassment, Even though the person belongs to a dominant caste. I have seen and heard my friends share such experiences. It has created a very big psychological change compared to other states. Periyar’s impact through the Self-Respect Movement, started in 1925, has not just changed the visibility of names but also brought a psychological shift. Because, a name is not just a combination of letters, it reflects one’s religion, caste, culture, and customs. Keeping caste as a surname cuts the first opportunity to mix with others and reinforces a rigid caste system. This shift goes beyond just names; it subtly changes how people perceive themselves and others.

When caste is not immediately visible in a name, interactions start on neutral ground. There is no automatic ranking or hierarchy imposed in the first moment of meeting someone. It allows individuals to form connections based on personality, ideas, and actions rather than inherited social labels. It also strengthens self-respect. People from marginalized communities feel less constrained by societal judgment, while those from dominant castes are nudged to question the privileges their caste affords them. Over time, this small act of renouncing caste surnames can chip away at deep-seated biases, creating a psychological environment where equality is not just an idea, but a lived practice.

Contradictions Among Social Activists who seek equality but lives with Upper Castes pride

The contradictory part is even some people who claim to be rights activists, advocating for an egalitarian society without caste, comfortably use their caste names as surnames. They should understand that holding a caste name is not just a name but an act that perpetuates discrimination. When someone calls themselves by their so-called upper-caste identity, others around them cannot do the same. People from so-called lower castes are restricted by indignified remarks and prejudice. My argument is not for oppressed castes to adopt caste names, but for activists from upper castes to understand how they are knowingly or unknowingly perpetuating the caste system contradicting to their own convictions for equality.

The Relevance of Ambedkar and Dangers of Dalits Using Caste Surnames

Periyar and Ambedkar shared the vision of a society free from caste and inequality. Both believed that self-respect and dignity should be the fundamental to one. I would like to add some personal relevance of Ambedkar. I was born Hindu, but I personally do not practice religion and have no faith in it. There were instances when someone asked my religion after my name, and I would say, “I am Christian.” They would move on. But when I say “Hindu,” their immediate question is, “What caste do you belong to?” As Dr. Ambedkar rightly observed in Waiting for a Visa, Hindus are not satisfied when you say your religion—they want to dig deeper to identify your caste.

The saddening part is even some Dalits use caste names as surnames, thinking it is an assertion. I completely disagree with this understanding. It means we have not fully understood Dr. Ambedkar. The revolutionary categorically explained in "Annihilation of Caste" that caste is a vertical order. To make it easier to understand, imagine numbers from 1 to 5: when you say you belong to number 1, it means there are others behind. When you say you belong to 5, it means you acknowledge there are four ahead of you. When a Panchama uses his caste name, he acknowledges the caste system and accepts there are four ahead. How can we accept this inhumane system by acknowledging it? Isn’t it a disrespect to Dr. Ambedkar?

Honoring Thanthai Periyar on His Birth Anniversary

Taking forward the ideals of Dr. Ambedkar and Thanthai Periyar, we should come out of this inhumane, indignified caste system first by renouncing caste names as surnames. On this 147th birth anniversary of Thanthai Periyar, let us remember that his fight was not for history books but for our everyday lives. He challenged us to reject indignity in all its forms and to stand with self-respect.

Dr. Ambedkar too reminded us that caste is not just a system, but a mindset that must be annihilated. Carrying their ideals forward means starting with simple but powerful acts. One such act is renouncing caste surnames, cutting away the first marker of inequality. By doing so, we weaken the hold of caste pride and open space for human dignity. This is not just a matter of names, but of justice, equality, and future generations. Vazhga Periyar! Let his vision light our path beyond caste divisions.

- The author is a researcher at National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) New Delhi