Complex sentence: Periyar felt that a small number of cunning people created caste distinctions in order to dominate over society, so he emphasised that individuals must first develop self-respect and learn to analyse propositions rationally.
Split into simpler sentences: Periyar felt that a small number of cunning people created caste distinctions in order to dominate over society. That was why he emphasised the view that we must first develop self-respect and learn to analyse propositions rationally.