Paper short abstract:

The paper discusses socio-economic dimension of contemporary gurus’ activities in Punjab with a focus on the recent performance of largest and most controversial deras (religious/pseudo-religious communities) in the state and neighboring areas.

Paper long abstract:

In recent decades, the so-called "dera culture" has become a characteristic feature of Punjab's social, economic and political life. Deras (religious/pseudo-religious communities of all sorts) and their gurus act as effective economic and political agents and are extremely popular among the lower caste groups residing in rural areas of Punjab and adjacent districts of neighbor states. The rising presence of deras' leaders in all spheres of Punjab's life has become a matter of great concern for the state authorities and - since a majority of deras are Sikh-related - for the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, the highest religious body of the Sikhs.

Punjab's most influential deras are large landowners as under the Punjab legislation no size restrictions apply to religious and charitable institutions; their premises are intensively used for agricultural purposes. Some deras have grown into powerful "industries" providing workplaces for their followers and offering shelter to the deprived. Reasons for the deras' popularity include their extensively publicized commitment to comprehensive social work and involvement in charity projects such as blood donation camps, free medical check-ups, anti-drug addiction campaigns etc., which in certain cases also evolve into profitable businesses (as in the case of Dera Sacha Sauda). The paper discusses the ambiguous role of gurus as modern managers addressing the needs of most vulnerable social groups in Punjab.