Explain the significance of the Babbar Khalsa as an organisation, which has engaged in an armed struggle for an independent state of Khalistan based on teachings and history of the Sikh faith

Mahal, Jagveer Singh (2020). Explain the significance of the Babbar Khalsa as an organisation, which has engaged in an armed struggle for an independent state of Khalistan based on teachings and history of the Sikh faith. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

Since the 1947 partition of India, there has been a rise in the call by Sikhs for self-determination and independence from India with a separate state called Khalistan in recent years. This thesis will focus on this call to self-determination by focusing on one organisation, whose mandate is clearly to fight for a Sikh State, called Khalistan through a physical armed struggle in accordance with the teachings of the Sikh faith. Khalistan itself will be based on being an independent theocratic state. This call for self-determination has been coming from groups and organisations within India and the diaspora outside of India which are affiliated with the Khalistan movement.

The organisation in question is Babbar Khalsa, which has been considered as the most notable and significant organisation in advocating for the goal of Khalistan. My research concludes that the Babbar Khalsa has engaged in armed struggle for Khalistan, an independent Sikh nation based on the teachings of the Sikh faith. The research will help those in understanding why organisations have engaged in a physical armed struggle to obtain their goal for Khalistan, as they claim this is embedded within the teachings of the Sikh faith.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):