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Dynamics of Ethnic Politics in India: Re-evaluating the Separatist Movement in East Punjab

. Muhammad Abrar Ahmad, Anam Iftikhar, Dr. Ruqia Kalsoom, Amir Ali and Syed Ali Raza


Abstract

Ethnicity is a political and sociological construct that helps in identifying the socioeconomic reasons driving violent conflicts that ultimately give rise to separatism elements. India has witnessed many conflicts since its inception in 1947 and lingual, cultural and religious identities have characterized its society which is divided so badly into caste and tribal animosities today. Sikhs are the vibrant community of India but they are neglected one community as well. They joined hands with the Indian National Congress, hoping for all the promises which were made with them but later on they were refused and dejected in the audacity of the situation. Although Sikhs considered themselves as the equal citizens but the policies of Indian Hindu mindset always reminded them as the second class citizens as like other minorities residing in Bharat. The treachery of the events led towards the feelings of separatism in the Sikhs and being snubbed they felt it necessary to vow for independent homeland. The atrocities ultimately led towards the separatist movement of Khalistan but the Hindu mind set butchered them without any mercy and even their religious places were not spared and Operation Blue Star which did not spared the most sacred sanctuary of the Sikhs had observed the massacre of the Sikhs at large scale which left the Sikh nation’s tortured body in to quandary of equal citizens or second class citizens. This paper deals with the political and ethnic dynamics of the Sikh separatism and government policies to manage the happenings.

Index Terms-Ethnicity, Punjab, Sikhs, Operation Blue Star, Massacre

 

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