Professional Imperialism, Colonial Legacy, and Crisis in Indian Social Work

Abstract

Abstract The political imperialism of the West has continued to maintain its colonial legacy in Indian society and has made adverse impacts on Indian social institutions and social welfare practices. Unfortunately, despite Indian political independence since 1947, India’s indigenous social work practices couldn’t be revived, and the recipient social work discipline which was shaped and influenced by the social, political, and cultural context of the West was further reinforced by the growth of neoliberalism. As a result professional imperialism continues to be perpetuated in Indian social work academics. During 2018, the movement of Bharatiyakaran of social work education aimed to revive the ancient Indic wisdom and indigenous social work practices in social work academia. The movement not only challenged the colonial legacy and professional imperialism in social work but also developed the new Bharatiyakaran of Social Work Curriculum, based on Indian ancient native wisdom, knowledge, and practices. This chapter describes the nature and extent of professional imperialism in social work education and its impact on the professionalization of social work education in India. It also examines the impact of Western culture and ideology on shaping social work education, curriculum, and practice in India. The chapter argues for decolonizing social work education in India and presents the revival of Bharatiyakaran of social work education to counter the potential crisis created due to professional imperialism in India.