Contribution of Women in the Non- Brahmin Movement

Introduction: “Anti-Brahminism or Non-Brahminism is a movement in opposition to caste based discrimination and hierarchical social order which places Brahmins at its highest position”. This Movement was started by Mahatma Jotiba Phule in Maharashtra in 19th Century Mahatma Jotiba Phule was prominent social reformer, born in Shatriya Mali Community even then he was suffered by caste discrimination so he established organization to removal the caste discrimination and promote social equality, that organization was named Satyashodhak Samaj. This was established in 1873. This organization worked for women empowerment as well as caste eradication. It established so many schools and Institutions which worked to literate the Bahujan Samaj. It started famous mass movement against special privileges of Brahmans. It was earlier stage of Non Brahmin Movement. Mahatma Phule wanted to total reconstruction of social structure to create awareness amongst people After his death of this movement was faced obstacles so it worked very slowly. In early 20th century so many national leaders and Social Reformers joined this movement. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahtma Gandhi and Rajshri Shahu Maharaj worked for the elimination of Caste system. Later it was spread in south India, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker was one of the famous and Mass leader who aggressively spread Non-Brahman movement in Deccan region especially in Tamilnadu. Self-respect Movement in Tamilnadu performed key role to create awareness among the people. Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam and Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam these two political Parties still lead this movement. This movement claimed respectable and proportional existence of common Bahujan people in the government Job and other relevant work field. It tried to abolish supremacy of elite class domination in the Social, Economical and Cultural field. So many women performed major role for Non Brahmin Movement. Due to noticeable role of competent and efficient women, this movement was reached lower class of the society and remote area of India. Non-Brahmin movement was started in Maharashtra so first women leadership was arisen in Maharashtra. That was Savitribai Phule.