S46.

Analyse the salience of ' sect ' in Indian society vis-a-vis caste,
region, and religion. (15 marks, 250 words)

Synopsis

Introduction: Define sect.

Body: Salience of religion and sect

Salience of caste and sect

Salience of region and sect

Conclusion: Stress on the role of caste, region, and religion in evolution of

sects.

Answer

Sect is a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (typically

regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong.
They are considered as a sub-group of religion.

Salience of religion and sect:

1) Shows diversity: E.g. Vaishnavism and Shaivism in Hinduism,

Hinayana and Mahayana in Buddhism
2) Led to emergence of new ideas: E.g. Sufism in Islam, Brahmo Samaj
(Raja Ram Mohan Roy).
3) Sect as amalgamation of different religions: E.g. Origin of Sikhism.
4) Cultural symbolism: Co-existence of various sects within Indian
religions uphold mosaic marble model of Indian society.
Salience of caste and sect:

1) Caste as sect: People from same caste following similar worship and
rituals. E.g, Kshatriyas worshipping sword.
2) Fight against caste leading to sects: Fight against caste model of
society during the period of Bhakti and Sufi movement led to evolution of
various forms of sects. E.g. Alvars and Nayanars.
3) Shifts and changes: Caste is considered a discriminatory system
whereas sect accommodates cultural variations within Indian society.
E.g. Demand for Sabarimala pilgrims to be considered as a separate sect.
4) Role of modernisation: Both experienced politicisation in contemporary
times. E.g. Caste mobilisation during elections,politicisation based on
demand for separate religion status for Lingayats.
Salience of region and sect:

1) Spread of sect across regions: E.g. Shankaracharya taking Advaita

Vedanta philosophy across the nation.
2) Regional diversity in sects: E.g.Lingayats mainly in Karnataka.
Thus, caste, region and religion forms cohesive role in evolution of various
sects across India.