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powers of markets assure us, as the ow believable is this gospel of where, aided by what can be thought of
political scientist Alan Wolfe did in a 2008 globalisation? Is globalisation as the state-temple-corporate complex, a
essay, that “religion’s priority of belief and really the antidote to religious new Hindu religiosity is getting more
secularism’s commitment to individual nationalism? Can market fundamentalism deeply embedded in everyday life, in both
rights are not in opposition,” as most drive out religious fundamentalism? Are the private and public spheres. At least
religions are adapting to the capitalist multinational enterprises the unwitting for now, growing economic prosperity
world by becoming prosperity religions. (or witting) vehicles of religious seems to have weaned the Indian middle
The aim of these prosperity religions is moderation? If so, should not secularists classes from the extremist elements of
not to question the morality of acquiring learn to love the corporate world as a the Hindu right, who incite animosity
wealth, but rather to bless the believers friend and ally? against Muslims, Christians and the pub-
into thinking that they can become rich Well, it depends. Most importantly, it going Westernised elite. But, the rising
as well by the grace of god. Thus, Wolfe depends upon what we mean by religious prosperity has definitely not turned
assures us, the rising religious fervour nationalism, which is the form that Indians against the more subtle ways in
in many parts of the world is nothing right-wing religious movements tend to which Hinduism is becoming the de-facto
to worry about, as this safely feeds into take through much of the post-colonial religion of the secular Indian state.
fervour for making money and getting world, including South Asia. If we reduce In India, Hinduism, the religion of
rich. religious nationalism to street violence the majority, is becoming more, not less,
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creative about India comes from the ost observers of social trends will functions, it creates more opportunities
country’s Vedic golden age, they will not grant that popular religiosity for faith-based institutions to take over
complain much when the government is on the rise in societies these functions. This link cannot be
gives out land grants and other subsidies undergoing rapid economic change under generalised, as the state-market-religion
to institutions specialising in Vedic the current conditions of globalisation. relations vary in different societies. But
sciences; or when preachers and politicians But, there is very little agreement on there is ample evidence of faith-based
alike link India’s success in the global what globalisation per se has to do institutions benefiting from the cut-
economy to the need to revive sanatan with it. The most common connection the-government-to-size drives in the US,
dharma – claimed by its adherents to be with globalisation and religiosity is especially under the presidency of George
the original teachings – as popular Hindu drawn at the social-psychological level. W Bush.
evangelicals such as Swami Ramdev and Globalisation and the growing reign of In India, too, the Hindu establishment
Sri Sri Ravishankar routinely do. labour flexibility involve lay-offs and is benefiting from the recent de-regulatory
There is actually an even more direct outsourcing to outside contractors, changes that favour private enterprise,
connection between religiosity and thus heightening the uncertainties especially in the area of higher education.
political choices. Up until 2004, there was and insecurities of middle classes. The Both the secular Congress-led UPA and
a clear correlation between religiosity insecurities are percolating into family the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance
and voting behaviour: those Hindus who relations and often challenging the old support these measures for disinvestment
participated in public religious activities mores that valued simplicity and frugality and privatisation of education, health,
more frequently tended to vote for the as virtues. and other social services.