Context
As the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 in India did not acknowledge self-respect marriages, Tamil Nadu had to overcome challenges like judicial and executive interpretations.

Historical Background  
·         The term "self-respect marriage," or "Suyamariyathai thirumanam" in Tamil, refers to a marriage ceremony in Tamil Nadu that deviates from conventional Hindu rituals.
·         The social reform movement is connected to the Self-Respect Movement, a sociopolitical and cultural movement that emerged in Tamil Nadu around the turn of the 20th century.
·         Speak up: The movement's leading proponent was the social reformer E.V. Ramasamy, commonly known as Periyar.

Tamil Nadu non-ritual Hindu marriages  
• Early Opposition to Non-Ritual Marriages: The Madras High Court ruled that Hindu non-ritual marriages were illegal since they did not follow traditional ceremonies in the 1950s. This called into doubt Dravidian beliefs regarding companionate and intercaste marriages as well as women's rights.
• Demand for Legal Recognition: Dravidian leaders advocated for civil unions to be legally recognised under Hindu law during the drafting of the Hindu Code Bill. The Act, however, only accepted a tiny number of reformed unions and did not support self-respect weddings in Tamil Nadu.
• Legalisation of Self-Respect Marriages: The Hindu Marriage (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act of 1967, which recognised non-ritual Hindu unions and questioned conventional Brahmin interpretations, was passed after years of controversy.

Present-day Challenges  
• Inter-caste weddings were weakened in 2017 when the Union Ministry for Social Justice declined to accept Section 7 of the Act.
•Recently, the Supreme Court acted: The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the Suyamariyathai marriage's legitimacy in Tamil Nadu, highlighting its consensual character.
• Despite challenges, the Madras High Court has adopted a progressive position towards gender equality in marriage that exceeds that of other Indian courts. This indicates how the legislative amendments in Tamil Nadu have helped women.

Conclusion  
The continuous struggle in Tamil Nadu to recognise self-respect weddings is an example of the Dravidian self-respect movement's tenacity and commitment to challenging social norms. The Madras High Court's progressive stance on gender equality in marriage emphasises the need for continued action and instruction to protect individuals who select self-respect marriages.

LTX Mains Question
Q. Explain the historical struggle in Tamil Nadu for non-ritual Hindu marriages to be accepted legally, mentioning the obstacles faced and the region's evolving attitudes towards gender rights in marriage.