Faith Movements and Social Transformation: Guru Charisma in Contemporary India

Book Details

• Author: Samta P. Pandya

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Binding: Hardcover

• Release Date: 01-11-2017

• ISBN: 9788131609064

• Pages: 306

• Languages: English

• Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 1.0 inches

• Sale Territory: India

About the Book

This book delves into the critical role of Hindu-inspired Faith Movements (HIFMs) as agents of social transformation in contemporary society. In the modern Indian context, particularly within the neo-liberal and postmodern framework, HIFMs assert their presence by engaging in social service or seva. These movements are structured around four key pillars: gurus, sociality, hegemony, and social transformation.

The gurus leading these movements create a spectrum of meanings through their public discourses, allowing their followers to adopt elements that contribute to personal and societal transformation. Sociality, embodied in social service, plays a pivotal role in spreading the influence of these movements. The social service extended by HIFMs spans diverse sectors and is closely tied to the legacy and memory of the guru, whose influence catalyzes action based on principles such as human rights, peace, and justice.

Hegemony manifests in the fact that the social service provided by HIFMs aligns closely with the Hindutva doctrine, shaping a vision of Hindu-inspired social transformation. The book argues that these movements advocate for a model of faith-based intervention, one that aims to build and transform civil society through the principles of Hinduism.

The text presents a detailed analysis of HIFMs, addressing their strategies and their role in shaping both private and public agendas in social transformation.

Contents

• Introduction: Gurus, Sociality, Hegemony and Social Transformation

• Guru Agency: Combining Charisma, Teachings, and Proliferation

• Faith Movements: Negotiating State, Market, and Civil Society

• Faith Networks: Interplaying Social Issues, Action, and Service

• Faith in Practice: Tangibility of Social Service

• Faith Trappings: Shades of Hegemony and Hindu Nationalism

• Transformational Actors: Private and Public Agendas

• Actors in Social Transformation: Deliberating on a Mode

About the Author
Samta P. Pandya is a faculty member at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Her research interests include social work education, perspectives in social theory, and the study of faith movements.