Why Periyar Said “There is No God” Answer from Chat GPT

Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, a social reformer from Tamil Nadu, strongly opposed the idea of God, Hindu religion, and Brahmanism because he believed they were tools used to oppress lower-caste people, especially Dalits and non-Brahmins. His criticism was rooted in rationalism, self-respect, and social justice.

Why Periyar Said “There is No God”

1. Against Superstition & Exploitation – He believed that the concept of God was created to instill fear and maintain social hierarchies. He argued that religion prevented people from questioning authority and injustice.
2. Challenge to Brahmanical Supremacy – Hinduism, as interpreted by Brahminical traditions, justified caste-based discrimination. Periyar felt that abolishing the belief in God would weaken caste-based oppression.
3. Rationalism & Science – He promoted logic and scientific thinking over religious beliefs, saying that progress was possible only by rejecting irrational customs.
4. Caste-Based Discrimination – Hinduism, especially its texts like Manusmriti, reinforced caste divisions. Periyar saw Brahmin priests and religious institutions as upholding an unjust system.
5. Opposition to Sanskritization – He rejected the promotion of Sanskrit and Vedic traditions, arguing that Tamil and Dravidian culture were suppressed under Brahminical dominance.

Why He Opposed Hindu Religion & Brahmanism

• Brahmanism was a system of social oppression – It kept lower-caste people deprived of education, temple entry, and basic human rights.
• Inequality in religious practices – Lower castes were not allowed to become priests or read scriptures.
• Women’s oppression – Periyar saw Hindu traditions as oppressive towards women, denying them rights and independence.
• Promotion of Dravidian Identity – He believed that the Aryan (North Indian) influence distorted the native Tamil and Dravidian cultures.

Casteism in India 100 Years Ago (Around 1925)

• Rigid Social Hierarchy – The caste system was deeply entrenched. Brahmins dominated religious and educational institutions, while Dalits and Shudras were denied many rights.
• Untouchability – Dalits faced severe discrimination, were not allowed to enter temples, use public wells, or even walk on certain streets.
• Limited Education & Jobs – Lower-caste people had little access to schools, and most were forced into manual labor.
• Temple Entry Prohibition – Non-Brahmins, especially Dalits, were denied entry into temples, which led to movements like the Vaikom Satyagraha.
• Social Reforms & Resistance – Leaders like Periyar, Ambedkar, and Jyotirao Phule led movements for social equality, demanding reservation policies, temple entry, and abolition of untouchability.

Periyar’s fight was not against any particular community but against the system that oppressed people based on caste. His ideas led to the Self-Respect Movement, which transformed Tamil Nadu’s social structure and inspired future policies for social justice.

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