Acharya Prashant addresses the deep-seated psychological obsession with the English language in Indian society, arguing that it is not a matter of linguistic proficiency but a symptom of a deep-seated inferiority complex. He provides evidence that students often pass English tests while failing in logic and reasoning, suggesting that their perceived weakness in the language is largely illusory. He traces this obsession back to the colonial era, where the English-speaking, fair-skinned ruler became a symbol of power and authority. This historical trauma has led to a mental enslavement where English is viewed not as a tool for communication, but as a status symbol and a means to impress others. He points out the irony of people writing long pages in English to describe how weak they are in the language, highlighting that the real issue is a lack of self-worth. He further explains that this mindset extends to a preference for fair skin and the imitation of Western lifestyles, such as wearing ties in a hot climate, which lacks practical logic in the Indian context. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that English should be learned for the right reasons—to access great literature and wisdom—rather than as a performance to gain social validation. He asserts that true linguistic command follows personal and intellectual development. By focusing on self-improvement and reading meaningful content, such as the works of Osho or great philosophers, one's language naturally improves. He concludes that the fear of speaking English is actually a fear of judgment by others, and liberation comes from understanding one's own mind rather than chasing external symbols of superiority.
