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South Asia Research
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Articles

Gurudom

The Political Dimension of Religious Sects in the Punjab

Madan Lal

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India [e-mail: madanpunjabi{at}gmail.com]

This article critiques the close relationship between religion and politics by focusing on the nexus of politician–bureaucrats and deras (religious sects) particularly in Punjab. It is observed how heads of deras decorate themselves with various titles, cleverly generate unconditional devotion among followers and present themselves as worldly gods. In addition, books, music and other equipment associated with spirituality are now an industry worth millions of rupees every year. The article notes that the nexus of the deraswith politics takes various forms and may cause social conflicts. It criticises in particular the bargaining capacity of the deras, which causes politicians to seek their patronage. The article discusses worrying trends about the misuse of religion that are now identifi able.

Key Words: Dalits • deras • gurudom • politics • religion • Sikhs

South Asia Research, Vol. 29, No. 3, 223-234 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/026272800902900302
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