Periyar Quotes

“If you see a Brahmin and a snake at the same time, kill the Brahmin first, for he is more venomous”
― Bala Jeyaraman, Periyar: A Political Biography of E.V. Ramaswamy

“The Congress’ obsession with Hindi had its roots in Gandhi’s belief that Hindi would be able to unite Indians linguistically against the colonial power.”
― Bala Jeyaraman, Periyar: A Political Biography of E.V. Ramaswamy

“When we started the Self-Respect Movement, we had five basic goals—to destroy God, religion, Gandhi, Congress and the Brahmin. —Periyar, in his last public speech”
― Bala Jeyaraman, Periyar: A Political Biography of E.V. Ramaswamy

“I talked with my rustic customers and fellow merchants. I also spoke with the pious devotees and priests. These conversations generally gave shape to my anti-religion, anti-shastra, anti-purana and atheist policies. They formed the basis for my views on caste, God and religion. I also developed a general distaste for Brahminism. —Periyar, on his childhood days”
― Bala Jeyaraman, Periyar: A Political Biography of E.V. Ramaswamy