Shashi Tharoor points out the "harsh truth about India's godmen," who are spiritual leaders, also known as gurus. With a population of more than 1.3 billion people, there are tens of thousands of such leaders - both for the rich and the poor. They command huge followings at home and abroad, with people from all walks of life being their devotees. Gurus exert enormous influence over politicians, who often approach them for advice - the proximity to "godmen" enhances a politician's legitimacy and boosts his popularity.

The author says, the inability of the Indian governent to address social grievances have been capitalised by gurus to cement their grip on power over hundreds of millions of Indians. Impoverished and uneducated, they are vulnerable to brainwashing . He lambasts "India’s much-touted economic development," which doesn't tackle the deeply-rooted social malaise, and provide for "caste equality and social justice to the underclasses."

Many of thesse gurus are successful entrepreneurs and run massive business empires, peddling traditional medicines, health products, offering yoga classes and spiritual therapies. They run schools, colleges and hospitals and provide employment. Gurus offer their followers not only a livelihood, they also dictate how their followers should live their lives, giving them a false belief that they have "a sense of worth and belonging."

Gurus are seen as a beacon of hope by an uneducated, frustrated mass in a fast-urbanising country, teem with ambition. The confused masses flock to their gurus, hoping for help and miracles. Most Indians believe in magic and superstitions. Gurus are essentially seen as magicians who promise miracles. No wonder devotees are manic about their gurus, many of whom are accused of sexual offences, crooked deals and even murder. But they "live above the law" and remain immensely popular with their faithful masses.

As government institutions in India "all too readily delegate their responsibilities," Christian missonaries, like Mother Teresa, and Western charity workers, have been active for decades. But they don't enjoy the same popularity as domestic sect leaders, some of whom believe in social responsibility, invest in communities and care for the impoverished. They supply drinking water to parched villages, run rehab programmes for prisoners and drug addicts, and open schools for poor children.

The recent conviction of the charlatan, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who headed a popular religious sect and performed at rock concerts and acts in films, "shows the fragility of law enforcement, which failed so spectacularly in the face of mass fury." It also lays bare "the hold of charismatic leaders over vast numbers of people who find validation and purpose in unthinking obeisance."

Calling himself the Messenger of God, Singh is worshipped by his devoted followers, who even let him share their wives and daughters. His Dera Sacha Sauda movement describes itself as a social welfare and spiritual organisation with millions of followers in India and abroad. The political establishment has turned a blind eye to his controversial and illegal activities. It even helped him overcome bureaucratic hurdles, like the censorship of his film - Messenger of God - which was seen as blasphemous.

Singh was so powerful that the popular comedian, Kiku Sharda got arrested for his parody of the guru. He was accused of offending religious sentiments after he mimicked Singh in a TV appearance in 2015, and he had to apologise for his act. Following Singh's rape charges verdict - a 20-year jail sentence, his devotees - mostly underprivileged, lower caste men and women - took to the streets, vandalising property, setting railway stations on fire, smashing cars and clashing with security forces. Several lives have been lost in the violence.

At the same time Singh "was flown to prison in a luxurious helicopter with an 'adopted daughter' in devoted attendance; he nibbled abstractedly at a piece of chocolate as a police escort carried his bags. The Baba may be in jail – but Indian society is still in the dock." As it shows, the protean leader of a dubious sect will - most unlikely - languish behind bars.