Identity Crisis and Khalistan Movement: Examining the Roots of Sikh Separatism in India

Abstract

This paper highlights the historical, socio-political and international dimensions of the Khalistan movement, assessing its relevance today by studying its evolution within the Sikh community. The evolution of the Sikh identity has been molded by religious teachings, colonial policies, post-independent political dynamics and rising political rivalries, leading to the escalation of the demand for Khalistan.  While the initial demands for separate statehood were partly fuelled by colonial era injustices, such demands took concrete shape post-independence despite the creation of Punjab on linguistic basis. Internal party politics resulted into the rise of extremist elements in the 1980s, which was brutally suppressed by the Indian State, hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs. The issue escalated with the violent oppression of the Sikhs, infamously referred to as the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. Although tensions had calmed down, the current decade is witnessing a revival of the Khalsitan movement and is no longer restricted to domestic politics. Employing a historical-evaluative approach, this paper tries to emphasize the significance of contextualizing the Khalistan movement within broader global frameworks of sovereignty, ethnic identity and diaspora politics, stating that unresolved historical tensions can escalate local conflicts into international challenges.