Medical Pluralism in Urban India: Emerging Nationalism and Reversion to Indigenous Medical Systems

Abstract (English)

In South Asia, health has always been perceived as having close relationship with the supernatural, the boundaries of the human body being porous to both spiritual and cosmological influences. Most Hindus believe in the theory of Karma and attribute most ills to the cycle of fate, ill health being caused by one's own deeds, in this birth or in previous births, as much as they are caused by infections, pollution or any other external causes. Even modern and educated people believe that a combination of medical and non-medical remedies are essential for cure. Additionally there has been a movement away from the colonial legacy by the state following the rise of an Indian ( Hindu) nationalism, where alternative medical systems like Ayurveda and Yoga are now given official recognition as valid medical systems recognized in government hospitals and institutions. Present day Indian citizens consider referring to indigenous and even spiritual practices not merely as a personal choice but also as a form of nationalism, rejecting what is now seen as 'colonial' mind set and are opting more and more for what they see as a indigenous and nationalist approach to health and healing. This paper is based on personal observations and also internet and public sources and also government policies and programs concerning public health. There is now a new Hinduized interpretation of knowledge and also of Science and emergence of a new biopolitics in the neoliberal times where market forces join hands with Right Wing Nationalism.