Power, Faith, Patriarchy: The Growing Popularity Of Self-Styled Godmen

In the past few years, India has witnessed multiple unsettling incidents involving self-styled spiritual speakers. In one high-profile case, a preacher associated with a private institute in Delhi was arrested after nearly 17 female students accused him of harassment, molestation, and intimidation.

Another 'godman' recently drew outrage after making crude remarks about women, claiming that unmarried women above 25 were “promiscuous.” The comment, delivered during a religious gathering, went viral and sparked widespread condemnation on social media.

In a third case, a well-known godman was charged with sexual assault and financial crimes, with allegations ranging from coercion of female devotees to misuse of donations. These are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing pattern that raises urgent questions about power, faith, and accountability.

Regressive Gender Roles Normalised

Time and again, these figures propagate outdated gender roles. Women are told to marry young, sacrifice careers, remain silent, and obey male authority. Their autonomy is treated as a threat to “morality.” Such teachings are not harmless—they normalise sexism and reinforce deeply entrenched patriarchy in everyday life.

The irony is sharp: while women are asked to live modest, restrained lives, many of these men flaunt wealth, luxury cars, and lavish ashrams. Their curated image of piety often conceals allegations of exploitation, harassment, and financial fraud.

Faith as a Shield for Patriarchy

These figures often position themselves as bridges between the divine and ordinary people. Their sermons, rituals, and teachings are framed as sacred truth, making it difficult for followers to question them. Women, in particular, are frequently subjected to regressive messaging that demands chastity, obedience, and compliance.

The power of faith becomes a shield, protecting these men from scrutiny while enabling them to perpetuate patriarchal norms that restrict women’s agency.

The Megaphone of Social Media

These self-styled gurus are not limited to ashrams or small gatherings. Their reach extends across Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, where millions tune in to watch sermons. Even when controversial or sexist statements spark outrage, their popularity often grows, as controversy fuels visibility.

On Instagram, one user wrote:

“If this was any other man saying it, people would cancel him. But when it’s a baba, they call it ‘truth.’”

The combination of offline gatherings and massive online audiences makes these figures powerful opinion-shapers in ways politicians and academics can only envy.

Legal Intimidation and Fear

Challenging these godmen is not without risk. Journalists, activists, or even ordinary citizens who speak out face threats of legal notices, defamation suits, or organised online trolling.

The mere act of questioning their words can be branded as “blasphemy” or “disrespect,” creating an atmosphere of fear that discourages open debate. This legal intimidation allows exploitation to go unchecked, creating a system where faith becomes an excuse for impunity.

Where Are We Heading as a Society?

The troubling rise of self-styled godmen tells us less about individual charisma and more about the cracks in our collective conscience. When men accused of harassment or crime still draw massive crowds, it reflects a society willing to trade dignity for devotion. The more we normalise regressive sermons, the more we tell women that their worth can be debated on stage, laughed at in gatherings, and dismissed as “tradition.”

On social media, supportive comments for these men gather thousands of likes, while dissenting voices are buried. If approval decides truth, where does justice stand?

This is not just about faith; it is about the kind of future we are building. Do we want a society where unquestioned reverence shields exploitation, or one where accountability matters more than the robes a man wears?

Each viral video, each unchallenged sermon, is a choice we are making as a people. And if we continue down this path, the real danger is not only in the hands of these men but in the silence of the millions who follow them.

Views expressed by the author are their own.