Sikh Politics Research Articles

Making sense of Sikh nationalism

ABSTRACT Despite significant advances in Sikh studies, Sikh nationalism is still poorly understood. As a complex community with competing narratives of self-identity – as a religion, as an ethnicity, and as a global and national minority (in India and in the diaspora) – Sikh nationalism requires an integrated framework that recognises the rich symbolic heritage and how the nation and state-building projects of India and Pakistan have defined Sikh politics. Such a framework also needs to rethink the role of the diaspora as the agent of long-distance nationalism against the background of the rise of religious nationalisms.

Community, Nation and Region: Shrimoni Akali Dal (SAD) and the Politics of Community Formation

This article relies on a historical sociology approach to trace the shifting trajectory of community formation and the forging of boundaries through three discrete though corresponding imaginaries— panth (community) , qaum (nation) and punjabiyat (regional identity)—in the Sikh political narrative. The emergence of each of these grand ideas of Sikh solidity has a history putatively inter-laced with the social make up and political economy of its time. The central object of enquiry for this article is the Shrimoni Akali Dal (SAD) and the attempt is to examine the shifting terrain of its religio-political goals and objectives. Since its inception in 1920, the SAD as a political organisation and Shrimoni Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee as the chief ecclesiastical authority, have been the principle bearers of the Sikh religio-political consciousness. The three constitutive imageries of community formation that SAD in particular and Sikh politics in general has fostered, do not betray a linear trajectory. Instead, there is a discernible simultaneity where each of these ideas co-exist, but subject to contextual operationalisation.

Post-militancy resurrection of the Akali Dal, and prospects of renewed Sikh identity politics in Punjab

ABSTRACT The Sikhs in Punjab turned against militants in early-1990s, after nature of violence changed from being politically oriented to largely indiscriminate. The Akali Dal guided by desire to remain politically relevant in post-militancy era, wove ideological and electoral strategy around moderate idioms, stressing consociationalism and economic development. Tracing party’s transition to moderation and dominance in post-militancy Sikh politics, I demonstrate that template of moderation began in 1994 when party defied Amritsar Declaration, not in 1996 with often-cited Moga Declaration. The moderate paradigm still remains intact, while recent electoral setbacks may persuade party to return to some refashioned identity politics.

How Avoiding the Religion–Politics Divide Plays out in Sikh Politics

This article looks at the intersection of religion and politics in the evolution of the Sikh tradition in the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods in the Indian subcontinent. The Sikh notion of sovereignty is at the heart of the intersection of religious and secular domains, and this relationship is examined empirically and theoretically. In particular, the conception of mīrī-pīrī is presented as a possible explanation for understanding the ‘new developments’ in contemporary Sikh politics in India.

Ajit Singh (1940–2015), the Radical Cambridge Economist: Anti‐imperialist Advocate of Third World Industrialization

Ajit Singh (1940–2015), the Radical Cambridge Economist: Anti‐imperialist Advocate of Third World Industrialization

Manly Sikhs and Loyal Citizens: Physical Education and Sport in Khalsa College, Amritsar, 1914–47

ABSTRACTThis article looks at Khalsa College, the first college specifically aimed at the Sikh community in late colonial India, and its schemes for and ideals of physical culture. Despite Sikh communal and Indian national aspirations, as well as a robust transnational discourse on ‘scientific’ physical culture that was being increasingly articulated in the inter-war period, Khalsa College remained remarkably devoted to ‘modernised’ physical exercise schemes focusing on British ‘manly games’ such as football, hockey and cricket. The essay locates the reasons behind the college management's staunch loyalty to Britain and opposition to newer, radical Sikh politics; its use of images of Sikh military traditions and ‘martial manliness’, often used to demarcate Sikhism from an ‘effeminate’ Hinduism; and its specific interest—shared by the colonial authorities—in keeping the students fit for military service.

The Punjab Crisis: Governmental Centralization and Akali-Center Relations

The basic tenets of political philosophy embedded in these two statements have been symbolic of the tendencies and views of segments of the community since the tenure of Guru Hargobind in 1606. The continuation of this political ideology and resulting activity has always been evident within the realm of secular, democratic in India. As a result, what has transpired has been the existence of a political philosophy dynamically, but not necessarily always antagonistic to the professed ideals of secular democracy. This also results in a of politics-loosely defined as Sikh politics-contained within the broader contexts of Punjab and within the Indian political system. In other words, there exists a loosely defined yet highly institutionalized political contained within larger political systems. The relationship between these systems since 1947 has produced various levels of antagonism and cooperation differing through time and in contextual interpretation. Neither Sikh politics nor the Sikh political system has ever been monolithic. Instead, internal competition and factionalism have been defining characteristics of politics. The tendency to rebel against state authority,

Sikhism and the Sikhs: an annotated bibliography

General Works Sikh History Sikh Gurus Sikh Scriptures and Philosophy Sikh Politics and Social-Economic Conditions Sikhs Abroad Source Materials

Nuances of Sikh Politics: A Historical‐Contextual Perspective

Australian Journal of Politics & HistoryVolume 31, Issue 3 p. 460-473 Nuances of Sikh Politics: A Historical-Contextual Perspective T. R. SHARMA, T. R. SHARMASearch for more papers by this author T. R. SHARMA, T. R. SHARMASearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1985 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8497.1985.tb00130.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume31, Issue3December 1985Pages 460-473 RelatedInformation