Misuse of Religion and Political Mobilization: A Comparative Analysis of Dharna Culture in Pakistan

Abstract

The paper is a critical investigation of the abuse of religion in political mobilization using a comparative discussion of the Dharna (sit-in) culture in Pakistan. Through the method of qualitative case study, it theorizes the relationship between religious sentiments, discourses and images used by political leaders as a means of legitimacy, rallying or exerting pressure on the government. The case study pays attention to the 2014 PTI-PAT and 2017 TLP sit-ins, discussing the ways religious discourse could be used as a factor of street politics and the consequence of this strategy to the functioning of democracy, political stability, and polarization in Pakistani society. It has been found that instrumentalization of religion using Dharnas the foundation of democratic institutions and enhances violent political culture in developing countries which are yet to be fully democratic in South Asia.