The concept of “Backward Castes/Classes Movement “ refers to the movement launched by die backward castes/classes which consist of non-Brahmin caste. The movement aims at removing or lessening the caste inequalities, promoting the economic advancement of the poor, the deprived and the lower castes, and to obtain for them equal educational facilities and political opportunities.

The movement also signifies a great social awakening that took place in the lower castes and determined efforts On their part to seek avenues of social mobility.

1. The Course of the Movement: jyothirao Phule of Poona was one of the first to. have revolted against the tyranny of upper caste in domination. He started social reform movement called the Satya Shodak Samaj wasfounded on 1873. Its aim was to challenge upper caste supremacy to redeem the Sudras and untouchables from the influence of Hindu scriptures to teach them human rights, liberate them from mental and religious slavery.

Satya Shodak Samaj movement and the cause of backward class were further carried by Sri Sahu Maharaj of Kolhapur. Sri Sahu felt that unless thd weaker sections of the society were ‘made conscious of their democratic rights, of their rightful place in society’, India would not be in a position to work on democratic principles. He started schools and hostels for exclusively backward classes students.

The backward class Movements came to be systematically organised in the Madras Presidency in the second decade of the 20^th century. The South Indian Liberal Federation, popularly called Justice Party, was formed in 1916.

Backward class leaders in Madras became conscious and started organising themselves. Dr. T.M. Nair, Sir P.T. Chettiar, and T.E. Mudaliar Joined together to start ‘South Indian People’s Association’, a joint-stock company in 1916 with a Sole aim of publishing newspapers. This association: advocating the cause of the non-Brahmins, started dailies in English ‘Justice’, in Tamil the ‘Dravidian’ and in Telugu ‘Andhra Prakashika’.

The Self-Respect Movement or the Dravidian Phase starts with the entry of Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker. Periyar rejected caste as the one and only criterion of personal worth. He championed new system of values in which all people could enjoy self-respect. Formulation of the Dravidian ideology, as opposed to Aryan ideology, is the basis of self-respect movement. Highlighting the superiority of Tamil Dravidian culture over Sanskrit Aryan culture.

The nori-Brahmin movement of Karnataka enter the princely state of Mysore. Okkaligas, Lingayats, and Muslims of Mysore had realised their position of relative deprivation as against the Brahmins. By 1917 the different groups formed an alliance called the ‘Praja Mitra Mandali’.

In 1918, this Mandali pleaded Maharaj of Mysore for communal representation in legislature, reservation of posts in public services and educational institutions. Miller Committee was appointed by the Maharaj of Mysore to look into the demands of Mandali This committee recommended the acceptance of all the demands. Since then Backward classes have. availed benefits/ in the fields of education, employment and politics.

The orientation of the non-brahmin movement in Kerala differs from those in Maharastra, Madras, and Karnataka. It lacked c the general anti-Brahmin ideology. Sri Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) It was meant to be a casteless organisation open to all people.

It had two important programmes; Encouraging education by starting educational institutions; first important programme was to uplift the Ezhavas, a depressed caste group of Kerala, As an important part of the organizational activity.

Narayana Guru started a number of schools and colleges throughout Kerala to spread education on a massive scale among the lower caste. Sri Narayana Guru built a number of temples, simplified the rituals regarding worship, marriage, and funerals. With this, he wanted to help the people of his community in secular and also spiritual matters. He led a quite significant social revolution and gave the watchwords “one caste, one religion, one god for all men”.