UNDERSTANDING A CHANGE IN DOCTRINE OF BARELVISM FROM PEACEFUL MOVEMENT TO VIOLENT ACTIVISM: A CASE STUDY OF TLP

Abstract

This article examines the different stages of the evolution of religious activism in Pakistan. It studies in detail, the different phases of the Barelvi movement in Pakistan and how it has transformed from a peaceful movement into violent activism. It examines the TLP phenomenon as the latest stage of the Barelvi movement and attempts to deconstruct it for understanding, using the social movement theory lens. It uses primary and secondary data sources including interviews to study the structure of the TLP cadres. Data findings of this article argue that TLP is a phenomenon inside the traditional Barelvi movement and can be seen as a case of lower-class uprising against the elite. The analysis based on the data findings draws upon some key characteristics of the TLP as opposed to the historical Barelvi movement. The analysis identifies that the TLP phenomenon is an urban cum class uprising within the Barelvi hegemonic structure. This is an important factor behind the strong support that TLP enjoys and that has been evident during the elections of 2018 and the various protests carried out by the TLP between 2014 and 2021.