SOCIOPOLITICAL CONTEXT OF SIKH MILITANCY IN INDIA

This paper explores the social and political context of the recent con flict and militancy of the Sikhs in India and seeks to test Brass' the ory that such (ethnic) conflicts are not ''givens'' but are sociopolit ical constructions. Following a brief sketch of the history of the Sik hs as a religious minority in India, the paper brings into focus the i nevitable conflict between the demand by a militant wing of the Sikh c ommunity for an independent state based on religion and the principle of secularism as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Political maneu vering by both sides of the divide and using each other for temporary advantages is seen as rampant. Random acts of terrorism by the militan ts in pursuit of their goal(s) and some desperate, often indecisive, g overnmental responses are highlighted. Additional perspectives are bro ught to bear by way of interpretation and specification.