Overview On December 5, 2025 , BJP leader Sujeeth Kumar urged the Central Government to remove the title 'Lord' when referring to British Viceroys and Governor Generals in school textbooks, NCERT publications, government documents, and official websites. He argued that the continued use of this title perpetuates a "colonial mindset" even after 75 years of independence. This issue was raised during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha . Background The persistence of colonial-era titles and symbols in India's official and educational spheres has been a subject of debate. The call to remove the title 'Lord' is part of a broader effort to decolonize the Indian mindset and promote national pride. This initiative aligns with the government's focus on shedding vestiges of the colonial past and embracing indigenous values and traditions. Key Developments Raising the Issue in Parliament Mr. Kumar highlighted the widespread use of the title 'Lord' across various educational and official materials. He stated, "I did a random check of all these websites, documents, and school textbooks, and this is what I found." This underscores the pervasiveness of the issue and the need for systematic reform. Examples in Textbooks and Official Websites NCERT Textbooks: History textbooks for Classes 8 and 12 contain numerous references to Lord Curzon , Lord Mountbatten , Lord Dalhousie , and Lord Leighton . Official Websites: The official websites of the Ministry of Culture , the Press Information Bureau (PIB) , the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) , and the Raj Bhavan (now renamed 'Lok Bhavan' of Bihar) continue to use the title for British colonial administrators. Arguments Presented Mr. Kumar argued that the use of the title 'Lord' promotes a false narrative of racial superiority and places British officials on a "demigod-like pedestal." He questioned why India should continue this practice, especially when many of these officials committed "horrendous and barbaric crimes" against Indians, while the country's own freedom fighters are not accorded similar reverence. Rationale and Justification Perpetuation of Colonial Mindset Mr. Kumar emphasized that continuing this practice perpetuates a colonial mindset, goes against the spirit of social equality, and violates the principles of the Indian Constitution. He stated, "A vibrant democracy like ours, which also is the largest and oldest democracy on earth, should not continue this practice." Parallels with Renaming Initiatives The BJP leader drew parallels with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to rename Rajpath as Kartavya Path , describing it as more than ceremonial symbolism. This change reflects a shift from a colonial attitude to a more duty-oriented name, symbolizing a move away from colonial symbols and towards civic responsibility and national pride. Alignment with Panch Pran Mr. Kumar referenced the Prime Minister's speech on the 76th Independence Day , where Mr. Modi outlined the Panch Pran (five resolves) for the Amrit Kal . The second resolution emphasizes liberating the nation from any trace of the "slavery mindset." This underscores the government's commitment to removing all vestiges of colonial influence. UPSC Relevance GS1: Modern Indian History This issue is relevant to GS1 as it deals with the legacy of British colonialism in India and the ongoing efforts to decolonize the Indian mindset. Understanding the historical context and the impact of colonial rule is crucial for this section. GS2: Polity and Governance The discussion on removing colonial symbols and titles is also relevant to GS2 , particularly in the context of governance and social justice. The perpetuation of a colonial mindset can hinder the progress of social equality and undermine the principles of the Indian Constitution. GS4: Ethics and Human Interface From an ethical perspective ( GS4 ), the continued use of colonial titles raises questions about justice, equality, and respect for human dignity. The issue also touches upon the importance of historical awareness and the need to address past injustices.