The Psychology Behind Religion in Politics: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Narendra Modi

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Narendra Modi—three towering Indian leaders separated by time—have all expertly harnessed the emotional and psychological power of religion to mobilize the masses and influence public mood. Their mastery lies not just in political tactics but in tapping into deeper currents of identity, faith, and collective sentiment. This approach, stirring as it may be, often comes at the cost of focusing on substantive governance and performance—a cycle the nation must recognize and question.(indiatoday+2)

The Psychology Behind Religion in Politics

Each of these leaders understood that symbols and rituals unite far better than policies or statistics. Tilak crystalized this when he transformed Ganesh Chaturthi from a private, upper-caste observance into a mass, public spectacle by organizing huge gatherings, patriotic songs, and community rituals. Ganesh himself, portrayed as the remover of obstacles, became a symbol of opposition to British rule. “By leveraging Hindu deities and cultural symbols, Tilak sought to strengthen resistance against British oppression and instil a sense of national pride and unity,” notes recent research.(ijhssi+2)

Likewise, Vajpayee, a deft orator and poet, rarely missed the opportunity to cloak his political messaging in references to India's ancient past and religious traditions, invoking Ram and Krishna, and often framing challenges as collective moral battles. His speeches—steeped in emotional, almost spiritual cadence—gave his political vision a near-religious gravity, fusing national sentiment and cultural memory.

Modi, in contemporary times, has raised this strategy to new heights. From orchestrating the grand spectacle of the 'Namaste Trump' event to the carefully choreographed inauguration of the Ram Mandir, every move is meticulously imbued with religious and cultural significance. The result: overwhelming waves of fervor and loyalty that sweep aside awkward questions about governance, economy, or social justice.

The Strategy: Mobilize, Unify, Divert

• Festivalization: Tilak instituted public religious festivals as platforms for resistance, bringing together diverse castes around Hindu symbolism, arguing that “the roots of Indian nationalism should be reflected in the sentiments and culture of the people, not just in the intellectual appeal of Western theories”.(nextias+2)

• Rhetorical Oratory: Vajpayee used poetic references to myth and faith to build consensus—his language inspiring, unifying, and sometimes diverting attention from contentious ground realities.

• Visual Politics: Modi uses the aesthetics of majoritarian religion—processions, temple events, public prayers—to reinforce his image as both a political and cultural leader.(indiatoday+1)

The Pattern: Faith Over Performance?

Time and again, these strategies show that a populace deeply moved by shared stories, myths, festivals, and rituals is less likely to demand immediate results in policy or delivery. It becomes easy for leaders to channel frustrations, offer hope, or deflect criticism—by appealing to faith or invoking a communal past rather than showing measurable progress.

As one analysis on Tilak noted, “He made religious drives serve the political purpose of mass mobilisation,” a lesson not lost on his ideological heirs. Their success is instructive but it comes with a warning.(drishtiias+1)

A Call to Wakefulness

It is time for citizens to see through the spectacle and demand more. A nation built on the constant stirring of religious feeling risks forgetting that real progress lies in health, education, equality, and justice—not just in the grandeur of festivals or the poetry of speeches.

Quoting Tilak: “I regard India as my Motherland and my Goddess… work for their political and social emancipation is my highest religion and duty”. The true legacy demanded by such statements is not one of mere devotion or excitement, but of vigilant, performance-driven citizenship.(wikipedia)

May India wake up and remember: real change requires more than skillful story-telling and the scepter of faith—it demands action, accountability, and evidence of progress beyond stirring moods and sacred spectacles.