In India's cultural landscape, cults and sects professing a common way of life and shared ideals arose as an alternative to the discrimination perpetuated by traditional religious hierarchies. Discuss.

As per Weber, sects arise in marginal communities breaking away from dominant religion (theodicy of dis privilege). This is applicable in Indian context.

Traditional religious hierarchies were most visibly manifested in caste. As per Prof Ghurye, civic, religious & occupational disabilities form a core feature of caste.

Sects like Dera Sacha Sauda came forward to give an alternate path to religion to lower castes.

Further, patriarchal nature of religion forced women at the bottom. This was visible in purdah (veil), fasting, rituals, 'Ek Pativrata' (Uma Chakravarty).

Women are now choosing to join cults & sects which grant equality. Eg Art of Living.

However, in Indian context this is not only a recent but also a historical phenomena.

In the 5th-6th century BCE, Buddhism and Jainism initially arose as sects admitting women, lower caste & 'untouchables' in their fold without discrimination challenging mainstream Brahminic religion.

Even, the ideals of Bhakti and Sufism preached path of love, devotion & equality.

Kabir's teaching gave rise to Kabir Panthi sect while Guru Nanak's guidelines eventually gave rise to Sikhism.

However, after a point sects and cults failed to pose an alternative to discrimination.

Even today, Dalit converts to Buddhism (Neo-Buddhists) are not treated at par.

Criminal cases against self proclaimed preachers like Asaram point to a breakdown of a cult.

Further, traditional religion modified itself to generate a counter movement. Shaivism and Vaishnavism in South challenged Buddhism & Jainism ultimately leading to disappearance of Buddhism from its birth place.