Tatla, Darshan Singh (1993) The politics of homeland : a study of the ethnic linkages and political mobilisation amongst Sikhs in Britain and North America. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The transnational activities of migrant groups have become a
major issue in recent decades. This study offers an analysis of
overseas Sikhs' involvement in Punjab issues; especially concentrating
on post-1984 period, when a vigorous support and mobilisation by
overseas Sikhs for a 'homeland' has led to diplomatic strains between
the Government of India and some of the states with large Sikh migrant
population. This study concentrates upon the mobilisation among Sikh
migrant groups in Canada, the United States and Great Britain -three
countries which account for over three quarter of overseas Sikh
population.
The issue of 'homeland' among displaced minorities and migrant
groups has usually been studied as a diasporic phenomenon. In a
theoretical formulation preceding this study, the term diaspora and
recent contributions to extend its scope to all such migrant groups who
were neither forced out of their homelands nor had continuous historic
connections is critically examined. Rejecting the wider definition
advocated by more recent contributors to extend this term to any
migrant group which maintains some connections with their land of
origins, a case is made for only those migrant groups which are
essentially involved in a demand for a secure and independent
'homeland' to be part of 'diaspora studies'
Proceeding with migration history and experiences of Sikhs in
Britain, Canada and the United States, the study explores the
persistence and continuation of cultural and religious practices
derived from their land of origins. Noting that neither the homeland
for Sikhs was an unambiguous term till recently nor were they forced
out from their homes, Sikh migrant groups provide an interesting but
problematic example of transnational ethnic linkages. The next two
chapters analyze the social, cultural and political links with the
Punjab. The study then provides a description and analysis of Sikh
mobilisation as a reaction to dramatic events in the Punjab in June
1984. The last chapter situates overseas Sikh mobilisation as a
reaction to a crisis which has fermented some new elements of ethnic
consciousness with consequent bearing upon the group identity and
political mobilisation within overseas Sikh migrant groups. It also
notes the impact of overseas Sikh mobilisation on the transnational
relationship of concerned states and their respective policies towards
Sikh migrant groups.
This study of overseas Sikhs provides an interesting case of
transnational politics where a crucial event in a migrant groups' home
country could perceptibly shift their political loyalty towards an
imaginary homeland, and how in the process, their land of origin
becomes a 'threatened homeland' . The study thus illustrates the
limitation of the existing analytical concepts dealing with the
behaviour of migrant groups whose attachments to their roots are
principally triggered into a virulent form of mobilisation due to a
traumatic event in their religious centre.
The study draws upon a wide range of sources including interviews
with leading participants, and a thorough examination of ethnic Purijabi
media of the United States, Canada and Great Britain. In addition it
takes account of the growing body of secondary materials associated
with the study of Sikhs in the Punjab.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Sikhs -- Canada, Sikhs -- United States, Sikhs -- Great Britain
Official Date:	December 1993
Dates:	Date Event December 1993 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations (Economic and Social Research Council)
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Goulbourne, Harry
Extent:	vi, 347 leaves
Language:	eng

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