BJP MP Calls for Removal of 'Lord' Title from British Rulers in Indian Educational Materials to End Colonial Mindset

Kumar questioned why India should continue placing British officials "on a demigod-like pedestal."

New Delhi:

BJP leader Sujeet Kumar on Friday urged the Centre to eliminate the title 'Lord' when referring to British Viceroys and Governor Generals in educational materials, NCERT publications, government documents, and official websites, arguing that this practice sustains a "colonial mindset" 75 years after independence.

During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Kumar raised this issue, highlighting the widespread usage of the title across educational and official materials. "After conducting a random examination of various websites, documents, and school textbooks, this is what I discovered," he stated.

The BJP MP noted that NCERT history textbooks for Classes 8 and 12 contain multiple references to Lord Curzon, Lord Mountbatten, Lord Dalhousie, and Lord Leighton, among others.

He also pointed out that official websites of the Ministry of Culture, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and even Bihar's Raj Bhavan (now renamed 'Lok Bhavan') continue using the title for British colonial administrators.

"During British rule, colonial rulers utilized and misused the power of bestowing titles for their imperialistic objectives and to promote a false narrative of racial superiority. This was a title given by the British to the British for British purposes," Kumar explained.

He questioned India's continued practice of placing British officials "on a demigod-like pedestal" by addressing them as Lords, particularly when many committed "horrendous and barbaric crimes" against Indians, while the nation's own freedom fighters are not given similar reverence.

"A vibrant democracy like ours, which is also the largest and oldest democracy on earth, should not perpetuate this practice as it reinforces a colonial mindset, contradicts the principle of social equality, and goes against both the letter and spirit of our constitution," the BJP leader added.

Kumar drew parallels with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to rename Rajpath as Kartavya Path, describing it as more than symbolic ceremonialism.

"This change represents a shift from colonial attitudes toward a more duty-oriented name. It reflects a movement away from colonial symbols and toward civic responsibility and national pride," he said.

The MP also referenced the Prime Minister's speech on the 76th Independence Day from the Red Fort, where Modi outlined the Panch Pran (five resolves) for the Amrit Kal—the 25 years leading to India's centenary of independence in 2047. The second resolve, Kumar emphasized, focuses on freeing the nation from any trace of the "slavery mindset." "In no aspect of our existence, not even in the deepest corners of our mind or habits, should there remain any ounce of slavery. We must liberate ourselves from the slavery mindset, which is evident in countless things within and around us," Kumar stated.