Dravidar Kazhagam
Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) is an atheist movement founded by the great social revolutionary, Periyar E.V.R. Ramasami (1879 – 1973) for the inculcation of understanding and realisation of self respect by the people who had been denied education and employment in the name of god and religion for so many centuries. The deprived masses were named as ‘Dravidian’ by the historians. The Movement, with its multitudes of BLACK SHIRT cadres has been adopting the strategies of reforming the society , ensuring social justice and developing scientific temper by striving on the hard path of propagation of the ideals through meetings, agitation, picketing, imprisonment etc. to attain the goal of humanism. The ideologies of Periyar are propagated with great commitment by sustainable strategies by Dr. K.Veeramani as the President of Dravidar Kazhagam, after a brief leading period by E.V.R.Maniammaiyar (1920-1978) , wife of Periyar.
DK, the mass movement has been instrumental for many reformative, socially justifiable legal enactments not only in Tamil Nadu but applicable for the whole of India. In fact, DK is the causative force, acknowledged by the rulers of the Nation, at the time of FIRST amendment to Indian Constitution in 1951.The various political parties and their present leadership in Tamil Nadu consider as a pride in identifying themselves with the ideals of Periyar. Periyar remains as an integral force on ideological front for the leadership of both the treasury bench and the opposition side of political governance of State of Tamil Nadu.
DK is publishing periodicals and magazines in Tamil, Viduthalai ( Liberty) daily, Unmai (Truth) fortnightly, Periyar Pinju ( Periyar Bud) Childrens’ monthly and in English, The Modern Rationalist monthly. Many educational institutions – Periyar Maniyammai University, Periyar Centenary Polytechnic, Periyar Pharmaceutical College, Teacher Training School, Primary , Secondary, Higher Secondary and Matriculation Schools and Children Home , Old Age Home etc. are managed with educational distinctions.
Atheist Centre
Atheist Centre was founded by renowned atheist Gora (1902 - 1975 ) with its head quarters at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Periyar and Gora are contemporaries on atheism propaganda mission for the cause of up lifting mankind by removing them from the clutches of god and religion. Gora founded the ideology of ‘Positive Atheism’ which is a noble ideology for the livelihood of individuals. Atheist Centre, presently headed by Dr. G.Vijayam, the second son of Gora, is accomplishing progressive social deeds organizationally in Andhra Pradesh. Atheist Centre has convened SEVEN successful World Atheist Conferences through its sustained relationship with atheist fraternity world over. Atheist Centre is publishing two monthly magazines viz. Nasthiga Marg ( Atheist way ) in Telugu and Atheist in English.
The Rationalists’ Forum
The Rationalists’ Forum is a Humanist Movement founded by Periyar in 1971 and presently patronised by Dr. K. Veeramani, President , Dravidar Kazhagam. It is a unique movement, because of the composition of membership and the activities. People who are committed to Periyar ideology and employed in various organisations – government, public private co-operative have shouldered the responsibility of preaching and practising rationalistic ideals. The activities include organising meetings, seminars, science exhibition, superstition exposure show to develop scientific temper and humanism among the public. Many State and Central Ministers, Vice Chancellors of Universities, educationalists, officials who are at helm of affairs to-day were the earlier functionaries of The Rationalists’ Forum.
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