ABSTRACT
The chapter is divided into two parts. It offers in the first part a critique of the relationship between religion, development and politics on a broader level. Notwithstanding the arguments that religion has not been accorded its place in the development theory, the chapter points out that there is no necessary correlation between the active presence of religion in a community and the consequent involvement of in developmental activities. It also points out that the lack of cooperation between religious leaders and the manipulation of religion by political powers negatively impact on development activities. In the second part, it focuses specifically on South Asian diaspora and their involvement or the lack of it in developmental activities. It points out that most of the developmental activities in which the South Asian diasporas are involved stem from their personal goals of economic development which can have transformative impact that may be counterintuitive to their own religious and cultural practices. It is also noted that developmental activities of the South Asian diaspora are not clearly distinguished from their political allegiances leading to disproportionate involvement in development that may suit particular communities and not the really needy.
