Perils of Sikh Separatism

A comprehensive analysis of the Sikh separatist movement, tracing its historical roots, political implications, and global impact on the Sikh diaspora and India's foreign relations.

- TDG NETWORK

The Sikh separatist movement, rooted in the demand for an independent state of Khalistan, has had a complex and turbulent history. It has evolved through three distinct phases: the 'Sikh Home Rule' movement from the 1960s to 1978, the armed insurgency for Khalistan from 1978 to 1993, and the post-1994 period, characterized by the politics of grievance and human rights advocacy.

1. Sikh Home Rule Movement (1960s-1978) The origins of the Sikh separatist movement can be traced back to the post-colonial period of the 1960s. Following India's independence and partition in 1947, the Sikh community faced significant political and social challenges. The division of Punjab and the resulting displacement of millions of Sikhs created a sense of betrayal and loss among the Sikh population.

The early calls for Sikh autonomy emerged in the form of the 'Sikh Home Rule' movement led by Sardar Charan Singh Panchi, a London-based Sikh émigré. Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) reportedly provided covert support to this movement, using it as a tool in the broader geopolitical conflict between India and Pakistan. In 1971, Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan, a former Akali minister from Punjab, published an advertisement in the New York Times declaring the establishment of Khalistan, bringing the separatist demand to international attention.

Jagjit Singh Chohan later declared himself the "President of Khalistan," and even established a government-in-exile in London. He famously stated, "Khalistan is not just an idea. It is the destiny of the Sikh people." Chohan issued Khalistan passports and currency, despite global governments refusing to recognize them.