Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.

A sect is a group of people who break away from a larger, established religious denomination because of a set of beliefs that differ in some key ways. While many views and practices of a sect will overlap with those of the larger group, other beliefs will be distinct enough to warrant a schism, or division between the groups. 

Salience of sect Vis a Vis Religion:-

1. Sects tend to draw disproportionately from the underprivileged elements of society, 
2. They often decry liberal trends in denominational development and advocating a return to true religion.

Adding Diversity:-

1. Radhasoami sect does not prefer temple practice though they all belong to Hindu religion. 
2. Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, different sects believe in Lord Vaishanva, Shiva, and Shakti. 
3. In Islam Sunni and Shia are two different sects following different authority. 
4. Lingayat following Shiva as their deity only.

Salience of sect vis a vis Region:-

1. Jainism:- Svetambara in South and Digambar in North 
2. Buddhism:- Theravada in Ladakh, Sikkim
3. The Kalamukhas are a Hindu sect that worships Rudra-Shiva. The Kalamukhas were so named because they defaced their faces with black marks and symbols. Found in Karanatka region. 
4. Pashupati Cult:- It is Western India's oldest and most influential sect dedicated to the god Siva. The sect's founder was Lakulisa who felt that God's mercy was required for redemption.

Salience of sect Vis a vis caste:-

1. Due to alienation, most of the Schedule tribes have started following Buddhism, Even BR Ambedkar made a call for it. 
2. Schedule caste because of discrimination considers their local deity as main God. 
3. For Santhal Tribes, Saridharam is their personal religion and Sarna religion is the religion of the Munda and Oraon tribe of India. 
4. Brahmins in UP – Kanyakubj, Gaud, Saraswat, Maithil, and Utkal. Each of these is further subdivided, arranged in a hierarchy primarily based on claims to ritual purity but also on other social determinants. 
5. Rajput’s are divided into 3 Category, they are Suryavansi, Agnivansi and Chandravansi.

The sect, with its close community of human beings and its new values which give meaning to life, offers a way out of anomie to many who have been disorganized in the impersonal milieu of the modern city.