Most conversations about development centre on economy and society, eliding over the fact that a significant part of it is also about preserving democracy. Even 75 years since Independence, we have not moved on from a lawmaking setup weighed down by archaic colonial vestiges
The colonial mindset in the country has been the subject of recent debate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to it in his Independence Day address. He urged the citizens to shed the colonial mindset and called for a national effort to make the country a developed nation by 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of Independence. It is a theme that the PM has emphasised earlier also. Last year, during the Constitution Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court, he noted that even after the end of colonialism, the mindset still exists, putting obstacles in developing nations' paths. The outgoing Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana, has also lamented the shadow of colonial rules on our legal system.
Modi: Why India needs to get rid of colonial mindset
The remnants of the colonial era are visible across the functioning of our legislative system. When the Central Legislative Assembly started functioning in 1921, the legislature's presiding officer used to wear a robe and a wig. The attire was similar to the Speaker of the House of Commons. When GV Mavalankar took over as the assembly president, he stopped the practice. But while we were able to move away from this British tradition, there are two practises that have persisted in our lawmaking functioning since colonial times.
Modi: Why India needs to get rid of colonial mindset
The remnants of the colonial era are visible across the functioning of our legislative system. When the Central Legislative Assembly started functioning in 1921, the legislature's presiding officer used to wear a robe and a wig. The attire was similar to the Speaker of the House of Commons. When GV Mavalankar took over as the assembly president, he stopped the practice. But while we were able to move away from this British tradition, there are two practises that have persisted in our lawmaking functioning since colonial times.