Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has called upon the nation's 1.4 billion citizens to commit to eradicating the "slave mentality" instilled by British colonialist Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay. Addressing a gathering at Bharat Mandapam on Veer Bal Diwas, the Prime Minister linked the historic sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh's sons, the Sahibzadas, to India's ongoing struggle against colonial legacies that have suppressed truth and diversity even after independence.
PM Modi emphasized the importance of the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas, stating that their courage and ideals continue to empower every Indian. He said that Veer Bal Diwas embodies the determination to protect Indianness. Modi highlighted that the world only began to recognize Indian heritage when Indians themselves started to take pride in it.
In a veiled critique of previous administrations, Modi asserted that attempts were made to suppress the truth even after India gained independence. He stated, "Now, India has decided to come out of the mentality of slavery". He criticized Macaulay's agenda to undermine India's rich cultural and linguistic heritage, declaring, "the conspiracy which Macaulay had designed, we have to come out of this mental slavery. This should be the pledge of the 140 crore citizens".
The Prime Minister pointed to recent developments in Parliament, where over 160 speeches were delivered in Indian languages besides English, as a symbol of progress. This included 50 speeches in Tamil, 40 in Marathi, and 25 in Bengali. Modi emphasized that India's multilingual heritage is a unique strength, countering Macaulay's efforts to suppress linguistic diversity.
Looking ahead, PM Modi has set a goal to completely liberate India from this "slave mentality" by 2035, marking 200 years since Macaulay's education policy. He urged citizens to reclaim pride in their heritage, languages, and knowledge systems. Modi lamented that even after independence, successive governments continued chasing foreign models. He added, "We kept looking westward for education, innovation, even language. We were taught to treat anything 'imported' as superior and anything swadeshi as second-class".
Modi's address also honored young achievers with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, aligning with the day's theme of inspiring courage and righteousness. He paid tribute to Mata Gujri Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, whose teachings continue to empower generations. The Prime Minister's statements reinforce the government's dedication to cultural rejuvenation, promoting indigenous languages, and challenging historical narratives that instilled a sense of inferiority.
PM Modi appealed to religious leaders and social organizations to launch a movement against drugs and encouraged youngsters to prioritize their health. He said that when they are fit, they will be "super hit" in their careers and life.
