Sikh militants’ terms of discourse: Religion, Khalistan/nation and violence^*

* To be closest to the vernacular spirit, literal translation of Punjabi documents has been done by the author even if it means bad English.

ABSTRACT

It is an attempt to understand the terms of discourse of the Sikh militancy that assumed international proportions in the last quarter of the twentieth-century Indian Punjab. Numerous militant organizations emerged during the struggle that individually and collectively articulated their position on issues like religion, nation and violence that formed the bedrock of their movement that may be classified as religious nationalism à la Juergensmeyer. Their views have been culled from booklets, pamphlets, handouts, posters and press statements released from time to time.

Notes

* To be closest to the vernacular spirit, literal translation of Punjabi documents has been done by the author even if it means bad English.