Description
Relational concepts carry the potential of taking the discipline beyond Eurocentrism. However, the way relational concepts are integrated with civilization superiority needs to be problematized. The paper identifies problems/omissions at four levels: (a) translation practices where indigenous terms end up seeking convergence with existing Eurocentric concepts, or are mistranslated; (b) romanticizing the past to the extent of ignoring/overlooking negative elements; (c) hegemonizing majoritarian ideas at the cost of subsuming or marginalizing alternate narrative; and (d) effort to replace Eurocentrism with different variants of ethnocentrism.
While the problems of Eurocentrism have been debated much in the past few decades and decolonial theories do provide a possible way out, it is pertinent to address the problems identified above. In this direction, the paper seeks to engage with marginalized alternate narratives. Rooted in critical theoretical tradition, the paper explores ideas/concepts that carry emancipatory intent. It focusses specifically on the concept of Dharma rooted in the Hindu civilization. It engages with its multiple meanings and different connotations with an effort to seek non-hegemonic relationality. The concept of Dharma is examined in relation to the problems/challenges identified above. The paper concludes by locating the possibility of decolonizing with a focus on vernacularization and pluriversality.
