Guru et politique en Inde. Des éminences grises à visage découvert ?
Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: Guru and Politics in India: Uncovered "Eminences Grises" ? Christophe Jaffrelot In ancient India, the Hindu king was guided by a spiritual counsellor, a guru. This tradition receded in the background after independence because of the secularisation of the state. Yet, politicians, like Indira Gandhi, have continued to cultivate close relationships with guru, and have even occasionnally publicised this relationship when such a move helped them to improve their image. Such relationships were not legitimate in two cases only, that of the tantric guru and that of men with some underground connection. The conception of power that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Association of National Volunteers) has developed directly derives from the traditional pattern of a king and his guru. Since its inception, the RSS aimed at becoming the Raj guru of the Indian state. The rise to power of the BJP in 1998 enables it to play such a role today. After doing so in the background for long, the RSS is now coming forward because the Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee try to benefit from his association with an organisation which is well known for its Hindu nationalist ideology and integrity. The secrecy of the relation between politicians and guru therefore, is not imperative. It may be publicised for strengthening the legitimacy of the former.
Source: Politix
Author: Christophe Jaffrelot
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2017795051