India, July 13 -- History bears witness to the fact that politicisation and commercialisation are two major distortions of religion. They occur when spiritual systems are repurposed for worldly power or financial gain. When political power and religious identity become closely intertwined, religion often becomes commercialised through donations, religious tourism, fundraising, media enterprises, real estate, and the sale of religious symbols and services. While religion has always had an economic dimension, politicisation often intensifies and institutionalises commercialisation.

Politicisation occurs when religious beliefs, identities, or institutions are used as tools to acquire, maintain, or expand political power. Political leaders ...