The Indian Intellectual Class Fails Its Moral Obligation

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By Dr. Sawraj Singh

When the British East Indian company made its educational policy, it was made clear that the purpose of educating Indians is to create a subservient class loyal to the British colonialists. The Indian educational system has remained very faithful to the original goal. The only change is that subservience has changed from the old colonialist masters to the new Western imperialist masters. Even today, India remains the most loyal and ardent supporter of Western capitalism amongst all third world countries.

The Punjabi intellectuals appear to have the dubious distinction of being the most subservient to the west among Indian Intellectuals. As a result of the Green Revolution and Globalization, Punjab leads the rest of India in immigration. Punjab also leads in the areas of cultural erosion and social instability. Punjab has become the epicenter of consumerism and “Marriage Palace Culture.” Whereas in the rest of India, Western subservience is mostly confined to the English-speaking elite, in Punjab, even Punjabi writers are heavily tilted to the West. They are glorifying the West in a one-sided and unrealistic manner. Generally, they exaggerate the positive aspects and downplay the negative aspects of Western society.

The Indian authors rarely highlight negative aspects of Western society such as alienation of individuals, disintegration of family, disrespect for old people (aging is generally synonymous with decay), extreme individualism and extreme egalitarianism. They mostly exaggerate positive aspects such as a higher quality of life, governmental efficiency, more economic opportunity and a cleaner environment. Generally, Indian intellectuals believe that the West is at the top and will remain there in the foreseeable future.

Many Indian intellectuals, besides those with the traditional slavish mentality, also feel a sense of loyalty to the West. They feel that they owe their present status to the Western capitalist system. Therefore, their evaluation of the Western capitalist system is biased and clouded by their wishful thinking that this system should not collapse. This wishful thinking takes them away from any objective evaluation of the Western capitalism system because their evaluation is based upon their subjective feelings rather than objective reality.

Many Western intellectuals are more objective in their assessment of the Western capitalism system than most Indian intellectuals. Generally, Western intellectuals are more pessimistic about the future of Western capitalism. Many Western intellectuals are convinced that the days of America as the only superpower of the world are over and that American power is declining. However, many Indian intellectuals vehemently deny these assertions.

Many American intellectuals strongly opposed the Vietnam War. Again, a very large majority of American intellectuals opposed the Iraq War and did not agree with the explanation given by the American Government for starting the war. How deep this feeling runs among the American intellectuals can be seen by the following example. One American University wanted a debate on the Iraq War. However, even for the sake of making an argument, none of the professors wanted to take a pro-war stand. Indian intellectuals, on the other hand, generally agreed with the Indian Government’s versions, whether it is a war with Pakistan and China or questions about Sikkim and Kashmir. They feel that as patriots they have to support their country and not raise questions.

Many Western intellectuals took part in the Anti-Capitalist movement. Many American intellectuals joined the Anti-Wall Street movement. However, many Indian intellectuals feel that it is their patriotic duty to support the capitalist system. This narrow definition of patriotism does not suit the intellectual class. It is the moral duty of this class to question the prevailing system in the larger interests of society and people. Many times, the systems and the Governments take stands which later prove wrong and harmful for society and the people of their countries.

Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at [email protected].