Emerging Bharat (India)'s tilt towards theocracy?

A theocracy is a form of government where one or more deities are recognized as the supreme ruling authority, and their will is interpreted and implemented by human intermediaries. These intermediaries are often members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is often based on religious law.

Here are some key characteristics of a theocracy:

• Divine authority: The ultimate source of power and legitimacy comes from a deity or deities, not the people or any human institution.
• Religious law: Laws are derived from religious scriptures and teachings, rather than secular principles or democratic processes.
• Clerical leadership: Religious leaders hold significant influence or even direct control over the government.
• Limited individual rights: Freedom of religion, speech, and other individual liberties may be restricted to align with religious doctrine.

Examples of historical and contemporary theocracies include:

• Ancient Egypt: Pharaohs were seen as living gods, with absolute power derived from the divine.
• Medieval Europe: The Catholic Church held significant political power, influencing monarchs and shaping laws across the continent.
• The Vatican: As the Holy See, the Vatican is a sovereign state governed by the Pope, who is considered the head of the Catholic Church.
• Saudi Arabia: The country follows a strict interpretation of Islam, with religious leaders influencing legal and social matters.

Vatican City, theocracy:

• Located within the heart of Rome, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and the only remaining Christian theocracy.
• Ruled by the Pope, who is considered the head of the Catholic Church, the laws and governance of the city-state are deeply rooted in Catholic teachings.
• While its influence extends far beyond its physical borders, Vatican City primarily functions as a center for the Catholic Church and a spiritual hub for millions of followers worldwide.

Saudi Arabia:

• Founded on Islamic principles, Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Sharia law, which governs all aspects of life, from legal matters to social customs.
• The King of Saudi Arabia is considered the "Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques," Mecca and Medina, and holds significant religious authority.
• While the country has undergone some modernization in recent years, Islamic law remains the cornerstone of its legal and social system.

Iran:

• Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran established itself as an Islamic republic, where religious leaders hold significant power alongside the elected government.
• The Supreme Leader, a religious figure, has the final say on all major decisions and policies, ensuring that the country's governance adheres to Islamic principles.
• While Iran's political system is complex and nuanced, the influence of religion on its governance remains undeniable.

Bhutan:

• While not strictly a theocracy in the traditional sense, Bhutan is a unique case where Buddhism is deeply embedded in its national identity and governance.
• The King, who is considered the "Defender of the Faith," upholds Buddhist values and traditions, and Buddhist principles guide many aspects of Bhutanese society.
• Though the country has a democratically elected parliament, the King's role and the influence of Buddhism remain central to Bhutan's governance.

Surveys:

According to a 2020 Pew Research Center survey, 89% of Indians say that religion is very important in their lives, and 70% say that they believe that religion should play a more important role in public life. These findings suggest that there is a strong demand for religion in India, and this demand could be leveraged by those who want to move the country towards a theocracy.

However, it is also important to note that India has a long history of religious tolerance and pluralism. The country has welcomes Jews, Christians, Moslems, Pharsees, etc., and is home to a wide variety of religious groups; there has been a long tradition of peaceful coexistence between these groups barring the invasions from Middlea east, persia, and Afghanistan. Missionaries of conversions also muddied the water.

India is in theory a secular democracy, and its constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens.

However money is taken from the majority and given to minorities to "influence votes". There has been some development in recent years that the country is moving in the direction of a theocracy of the majority. This is based on a number of factors, including the rise of majority Hindu nationalism, the increasing role of religion in politics.

Hindu nationalism is a political ideology that promotes the idea that India is a Hindu nation and that Hindus should have a dominant role in society. This ideology has been espoused by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power since 2014. The BJP has passed a number of laws that have been seen as correcting hsitorical injustices, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which makes it easier for Hindus from former Indian lands to obtain Indian citizenship in current India but not others.

The increasing role of religion in politics is another factor that has led to voice about India's move towards a theocracy. For example, in 2019, the BJP government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority state. This move was seen by many as an attempt to correct historical injustice by invaders.

It is important to note that not everyone in India believes that the country is moving towards a theocracy. There are many people who believe that India's secularism is still strong and that the country is not in danger of becoming a theocracy.

Is Prabhupada's theology, also known as Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a complex and multifaceted system of belief within the broader Hindu tradition influencing the theocracy? Time will tell!

Monotheism: Prabhupada's theology revolves around the worship of Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all existence. While there are other deities within the Hindu pantheon, Krishna is seen as the ultimate reality, encompassing all divine qualities and powers.

Bhakti (Devotional Service): The core practice of Gaudiya Vaishnavism is bhakti, which means devotional service to Krishna. This service takes various forms, including chanting mantras like the Hare Krishna mantra, offering prayers and food to Krishna, studying scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, and living a life based on ethical principles.

Karma, Reincarnation, and Liberation: Prabhupada's theology adheres to the traditional Hindu concepts of karma, reincarnation, and liberation (moksha). Karma refers to the law of action and reaction, where our actions have consequences that we experience in this life and future lives. Reincarnation is the cycle of birth and death based on karma, and liberation is the ultimate goal, which is freedom from this cycle and eternal service to Bhagavan Krishna.

Social Hierarchy and Gender Roles: Prabhupada's teachings on social hierarchy and gender roles have been controversial. He upheld the traditional Hindu caste system and prescribed specific roles for men and women based on their gender. While these views have been criticized for being discriminatory, it's important to understand them within the historical and cultural context in which they arose.

Conclusion:

There is an uneasy tension in India between theologians and politicians in Bharat. This will get resolved over a period of time as Bharat emerges as the third largest economy of the world.

References:

1. www.ncr-iran.org
2. readersend.com
3. A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti: Essential Teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by Tamal Krishna Goswami
4. Bhagavad Gita As It Is by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
5. Srimad Bhagavatam by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
6. Prabhupada Books website: https://www.iskconbooks.com/