Intellectual Freedom: A Decolonisation Perspective Inspired by Gandhian Ideals

Abstract

The intellectual freedom of the colonised populace in erstwhile European colonial territories continues to be influenced by colonial ideals even today despite decades of political and economic freedom. Using the ideals of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as outlined in his work Hind Swaraj as the backbone of our arguments, we seek to contribute to conversations on decolonisation of the mind and suggest how the formerly colonised may attain intellectual freedom, with a specific focus on education and research in India. The views of other prolific thinkers, both Gandhi’s contemporaries and modern scholars, help us understand the nuanced meaning of some of the issues examined by Gandhi. The way to the future is suggested to be a blend of knowledge grounded in indigenous traditions and liberal borrowing from other traditions, including the West tradition which Gandhi criticised. Specifically, we suggest how education in India could be moulded to achieve purna swaraj, or complete independence as envisioned by Gandhi. Our study has multiple implications for businesses, governments, and the society because it questions the basis of decisions and choices people make, and also urges them to deeply introspect on their priorities, goals and the means to achieve them.