Nearly two centuries after English became India's official language, a fresh debate rages about its role in fostering a colonial mindset. However, the core issue isn't the use of English but the systematic neglect of India's own rich linguistic heritage.
The Dual Identity of English in India
Today, an estimated 140 million to 235 million Indians possess varying degrees of proficiency in English. This widespread knowledge has undeniably propelled India onto the global stage. As author Oopalee Operajita argues, English has evolved into an Indian language itself, a tool that has afforded the nation significant international prominence.
The controversy reignited when Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently criticized Thomas Macaulay, the historical figure behind the 1835 English Education Act. Macaulay infamously claimed that "a single shelf of English literature was worth more than all of India's literature." His objective, as noted by commentators, was to dismantle Indian confidence and impose an English identity.
Beyond the Cacophony: Valuing Bhasha Literature
Operajita clarifies that PM Modi's critique is not a call to abandon English. Instead, it is a plea to valorize India's "infinite ocean of extraordinary bhasha literature." The real tragedy lies in how seminal works—from the Vedas and Upanishads to the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Tolkappiyam—have been relegated to the background due to an overwhelming obsession with English.
The author, who translated Gopinath Mohanty's Odia masterpiece Amrutara Santana into English, emphasizes the profound experience of engaging with magnificent literature in one's own or new languages. This neglect of bhashas, coupled with the elevation of English literature above them, constitutes a serious cultural loss.
A Path Forward: Multilingualism as India's Strength
For India to become a genuine global force, the solution lies in empowerment through comfort and inclusion. This means educating youth in languages they are comfortable with while simultaneously developing contemporary scientific and technical vocabularies in Indian languages. Educated Indians often possess the advantage of being bilingual or multilingual, a cognitive asset that opens minds to new cultures.
The debate also exposes a lingering colonial bias in perceptions of accent. While European leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron speak English with heavy accents without stigma, Indian leaders with local accents often face undue criticism, even from fellow Indians.
The conclusion is not an either-or choice. India can both adore its bhashas and treasure English. As Czeslaw Milosz noted, language is one's homeland. Embracing multiple languages, as Operajita concludes, grants "the rare virtue of interior spaciousness." For a nation with such linguistic diversity, the future lies not in rejection but in balanced celebration—where a new language truly means a new life.
