Religion, Liberation Theology and Modern Godmen

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The phenomenon of Religion and Godmen has become a very compelling topic in current times. While the tradition of clergy and saints has been fairly old the Godmen of present times are a newer addition. Their mass following, their hypnotic appeal and massive wealth is there for all to see. This volume brings together some of the thought provoking essays on the trend of current Godmen in India. The root of the understanding them is ingrained in multiple essays dealing with Religion as a social phenomenon through the ages. Religion’s multiple aspects have been outlined by some of the essays. In some essays the Ram story, the most widely prevalent mythological story in South Asia, has been given a deep treatment. Gita, currently projected as the Hindu scripture has been analyzed, while the syncretic tradition of India, the Bhakti and Sufi traditions have been presented outlining their humane contribution to the society. Essays on Hinduism, Hindutva try to unravel the phenomenon, which are dominating the contemporary Indian scenario.

Dr. Uday Mehta is a sociologist with broad interdisciplinary background. He received his SSA and Ph. D from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Mumbai University. He has contributed to the field of sociology through many of his books such as Agrarian Strategies in India, State Secularism and Religion: Western and Indian Experience (C0-editer: Asgar Ali Engineer), and Modern Godmen in India. His most recent publications are Sectarianism, Politics and Development and Secularism in India, Concepts and Practices (co-editors: Ram Puniyani). Ram Puniyani, a former Professor IIT Bombay is currently engaged with issues of democratic and human rights. Has been associated with various initiatives for promotion of plural values and defence of principles of Indian Constitution. Is currently Chairman of Centre of Study of Society and Secularism. Conducts workshops on issues of threats to Indian Democracy and National integration. Has been part of peoples tribunals on issues of communal violence and arrest of innocents in the name of terrorist violence. Has written several books, Communal Politics: Facts Versus Myths (Sage, 2003), Deconstructing Terrorist Violence (Sage 2015), Indian Nationalism versus Hindu Nationalism (Pharos 2014), Contours of Hindu Rashtra (Kalpaz), Communal Threat to Secular Democracy (Kalpaz) Edited: Religion, Power and Violence (SAGE, 2005), Mumbai: Post 26/11(with Shabnam Hashmi): (Sage, 2009), Secularism in India (with Uday Mehta) (Kalpaz) among others. Has worked on the comic books, Explained Series (Communalism, Terrorism, Godmen) along with Sharad Sharma. Recipient of Indira Gandhi National Integration Award (2006), National Communal Harmony Award (2007) and Mukundan C. Menon Human Rights award (2015) among others.

Religion has come to the fore in last few decades not only in India but World over. Be it the terrorist violence; outcome of the politics of control over oil wealth of West Asia; or be it the very discourse of politics in South Asia religion is the cover for political discourse. In India the very phenomenon of Hindu Nationalism, Hidnutva is to the fore. With this also have come a large number of Godmen, the breed which is sharp and efficient in drawing the popular attention, gathering lakhs of devotees and millions of rupees. Unlike the Saints of medieval times they are affluent to the heights, associated with those in power and wielding mass following. Many of their escapades have come to light. How come this phenomenon became so prevalent from the decades of the 1980s is the question dogging us. How some of them who have been exposed are mortals with the entire human weaknesses and who have exploited the weaknesses of average people of the society to expand their material empire or how have they are masquerading their carnal desires in the practices which they have designed or how they exploit their followers, needs a much deeper investigation.

The political and social history of late twentieth century and the beginning of Twenty-first Century is laced in the language of religion. While religion, a complex ensemble of social phenomenon, the mirror of society, has been a crucial facet of human history from times immemorial, during last three decades the politics has been adorning the garb of religion, so to say. As such from last three decades, multiple political, social and economic changes like the decline of the might of Soviet Union, the collapse of socialist economy, the adverse impact of globalisation, the coming into being of Uni-polar World, Religion has become much more prominent in social space. One recalls different other processes taking place in the name of religion. The occupation of Afghanistan by Soviet Union and the promotion of Madrassas in Pakistan indoctrinating youth for terrorism was another major landmark. The political acts were done in the name of jihad, to kill kafirs and what have you.

In parallel, the politics in the name of Hindu religion, Hindutva asserted itself and Babri demolition; post-Babri violence shook the very foundations of democratic polity in India. The attack on World Trade Centre, 9/11, 2001, resulted in the killing of 3000 innocent people, and Osama bin Laden announced at the same time that this is what jihad means. Not to be left behind George W. Bush pronounced the word Crusade for attacking Afghanistan where Osama was living.

**Contents and Sample Pages**