Decolonisation and Cultural Swaraj

A Gandhian Critique

Abstract

The present paper critically examines how to decolonize “English”- which exists in India, not as a mere dominant “language” but also as a means of perpetuating the colonial discourse as envisioned by Macaulay in his notorious “Minute on Education” (February 2, 1835). Moreover, an effort has been made to discuss the continuing relevance of the Gandhi-metaphor and its implications loaded with significations central to the issue of cultural freedom of India even today. It also aims at highlighting how English acts as a language of power under the guise of being a means to one’s empowerment. It will be discussed how the hegemony of English language gradually uproots one from one’s cultural roots and renders one amnesiac towards one’s local heritage. Further, the perspectives of some key Indian thinkers regarding the transformation that needs to be brought about in the Indian education system have been foregrounded. It has also been emphasised that learning through one’s mother language is a major means to strengthen children’s creative and professional prospects. In the end, certain solutions have also been suggested to minimise one’s dependence on English leading to one’s cultural swaraj.