Finished reading “Ascetic Games: Sadhus, Akharas and the Making of the Hindu Vote”. I am not sure what the author was trying to conclude via the book.
- It is a well-known fact that whether its a king or a priest everyone craves for power.
- Every organization has its role in politics, the Vatican was not alone.
- Politics and ideology are part and parcel for vote bank. What congress did with Chandraswami, BJP is doing with RSS/VHP.
- The Akharas are safe heavens for all anti-social elements like other religious centers. Weren’t terrorists were inside the golden temple.
It is very easy for us to read one book and form an opinion or belief. Smart authors win by peddling their ideology. As a reader, we have to be very open-minded and take everything propagated rationally.