Religious Therapy, Healthcare and Governance in Urban Spaces: A Sociological Study of the Brahma Kumaris Traditions

Abstract

New Religious Movements (NRMs) play a significant role in cities characterised by rapid social change, crime and fast-paced lifestyles, offering governance, therapeutic support and healthcare services to mitigate anxiety and stress experienced by city residents while providing morality. This study examines broader questions related to the role of NRMs in governance, urban moral geographies and city life by examining a female-led religious tradition called the Brahma Kumaris. The study is based on ethnographic research conducted in Indore, India, and data is collected through participant observation, focus group discussion, in-depth interviews and content analysis. The first section of the paper delves into how NRMs contribute to alternate healthcare services in urban environments and its implications on public health and social well-being. The second section of the paper explores the contribution of meditation services offered by NRMs to the mental well-being and stress reduction of urban residents. The third section of the paper analyses how government bodies collaborate with NRMs to promote law, morality, and rehabilitation in urban spaces, as exemplified by initiatives such as the Brahma Kumaris’ meditation and educational programs in prisons. Finally, the paper explores how educational institutions utilise NRMs to address youth-related challenges. It is argued in the paper that NRMs act as informal governance and healthcare, and provide community to urban residents.