Unlearning Empire: A New Movement to Decolonise Indian Perspectives
By Vineeta Rao
In many parts of the world, from London to Trinidad and online communities connecting India and New Zealand, people are taking a hard look at how colonisation has shaped their thoughts and identities. This discussion is particularly significant for the Indian diaspora, which includes people from the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The reflections are not just about history; they touch on personal and political aspects of life.
Recently, interest piqued when we received details about a Pan-Caribbean Zoom forum titled “Decolonising the Indian Mind in the Diaspora,” organised by the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Center. This event brought together thinkers from India, the Netherlands, and Guyana to discuss the ongoing effects of colonialism and how it influences the identities of those of Indian descent.
“Decolonisation isn’t just about borders or governments,” said Sandew Hira, a decolonial theorist from Suriname. “It’s about our mental outlook, how we see ourselves, and how we relate to our past.”
The Hidden Legacy of Colonialism
Colonialism didn’t merely change maps; it fundamentally altered people’s thoughts and self-perceptions. During British rule in India and later through a global indenture system, the traditional Indian knowledge, languages, and spiritual practices were often dismissed or belittled. Instead, a Eurocentric view was imposed, reshaping not just education but also cultural norms.
For many in the diaspora, particularly those whose ancestors came as indentured labourers, this shift has led to a profound disconnection from their roots. They were often taught to see their culture as inferior, while Western values were presented as the standard for success.
Ravi Dev, a civil rights activist from Guyana, highlighted the ongoing impacts, saying, “For thousands of years, our ancestors built civilizations, but the British insisted we were ‘uneducated’ and made us ashamed of our heritage.”
The consequences of this colonial mindset are still felt today. In Caribbean and African Indian communities, many educated elites are out of touch with their ancestral languages, and numerous cultural practices have been diluted or devalued.
Understanding Decolonisation
The term “decolonising the mind” was popularised by Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who chose to write in his native Gikuyu instead of English. He argued that language is crucial to culture, and losing it means losing a way of viewing the world.
Today, this idea has broadened. Dr. Kumar Mahabir, the Trinidadian anthropologist who organised the forum, explained that decolonising the Indian mind involves challenging learned oppression and questioning dominance by Western culture. It’s about reclaiming sidelined knowledge and redefining what we have been taught.
Hira suggested that we should focus more on non-Western achievements and apply decolonial thinking to everyday systems. This means reshaping our understanding of history from the perspectives of those who were colonised, as well as recognizing the worth of indigenous practices in areas like medicine and education.
For those living in New Zealand, this challenge also involves honouring the traditional knowledge of the local people, acknowledging their own history of colonisation.
Religion and Identity
One thought-provoking perspective came from Irfan Pullani, an Indian lawyer and activist. He questioned the Western categorisation of Indian philosophies into separate religions. “Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism are often seen as distinct,” he said, “but they are simply different expressions of a shared culture. Colonial powers created this divide.”
Pullani echoed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “shed the colonial mindset,” but he cautioned that this should not reinforce other forms of internal oppression. His argument resonated with the idea that decolonisation involves not just looking outward but also examining how these narratives have shaped our own actions and beliefs.
Moving Beyond Nostalgia
While it’s essential to celebrate cultural pride, decolonisation isn’t solely about reflecting on the past. The most pressing challenges appear in our present time.
In many Commonwealth countries, including the Caribbean, educational systems still favour Eurocentric models that often marginalise indigenous knowledge. A recent UNESCO report highlighted that colonial education methods continue to undermine local languages and traditions.
Additionally, harmful stereotypes often persist in media and arts, while traditional healing systems remain overshadowed by Western medicine. In politics, divisions among Indian, African, and Indigenous communities continue to provoke disunity, as intended by colonial rule.
Ravi Dev reminds us, “We were told that arriving on slave or indentured ships defined us. But we must reconnect with the richness of our history before that time and unite, acknowledging our differences as strengths.”
A Global Movement in the Digital Age
The rise of social media has opened new avenues for decolonisation. Platforms like South Asian Today, Brown History, and The Juggernaut provide unapologetic content about decolonial issues, from sharing stories of partition to highlighting anti-colonial art.
Meanwhile, universities like SOAS in London and the University of Cape Town are at the forefront of decolonial studies, challenging existing research hierarchies. In June 2024, UNESCO will launch a global effort to decolonise museums and archives, calling for the return of looted artefacts and a re-examination of how non-European cultures are represented.
An Ongoing Journey
Decolonising the Indian mind is a complex and ongoing journey that requires self-reflection and action. It urges the Indian diaspora to rethink their place in the world and to ask, “What can we reclaim and redefine?”
As Dr. Mahabir notes, “This is about taking control of our narrative, past, present, and future.”
The fight continues through education, art, and policy discussions. For those who aim to unlearn the colonial mindset, a path to true liberation begins not with politics or independence, but with a profound shift within ourselves.
