LANGUAGE POLICY FOR EDUCATION IN INDIA: WALKING ON THE PATH OF LOKMANYA TILAK’S VISION OF NATIONAL EDUCATION

Abstract

India faces a huge challenge with respect to its language policy. The legacy of English-based
education instituted by the British rulers not only continues but it is growing. This is an important
cause of socio-economic inequity as it creates unequal growth opportunities for the non-English
speaking people comprising largely of rural-urban poor and lower-middle class. In context of this,
the paper reviews the principles and thoughts of Lokmanya Tilak on language and education. The
paper shows how the Lokmanya Tilak was a visionary who had forewarned of the language-based
domination of the English-speaking class. His vision of national education was based on the need to
create national pride and respect among the Indian through education in vernacular languages. The
paper further shows how the New Draft Education Policy 2019 is an attempt to walk on the path
shown by Lokmanya. Finally, the paper concludes with the relevance and need for putting earnest
efforts to walk on this path to create a truly modern India.