Modi vs Macaulay: Historian William Dalrymple Counters PM's 'Slavery Mindset' Attack

This special report examines the debate over Thomas Macaulay's legacy, sparked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on shedding a colonial mindset. The discussion features historian and author William Dalrymple, who provides a counter-perspective on the role of English education in India. Dalrymple states, 'I've always thought that India has always been very pragmatic about what it retains and what it has shed.' The programme explores whether English is a 'mindset of slavery' as suggested by the Prime Minister, or a pragmatic tool that has contributed to India's global success. It touches upon the Nehruvian elite, the rise of regional languages, and how modern India has adapted colonial-era inheritances like the English language for its own benefit on the world stage.