REGION, RELIGION AND POLITICS: 100 years of shiromani akali dal

An objective and dispassionate study of the oldest religion based regional political party: the Shiromani Akali Dal, participating in the democratic politics and processes of socio-economic development and transformation of the country. It delineates and analyses events and developments from the emergence of the Akali Dal, as a religious movement, its transformation into a religious political party, concerned with safeguarding the political, social and economic interests of the Sikhs as a minority and to represent them in governing institutions, engaged in the struggle for power in secular domain mobilising the community support using the ideology of fusion of religion and politics, yet lacking equal support from different sections of the community. Rather than dwelling on a mere narrative of events and describing strategies, tactics and agitations of the Akalis an attempt has been made to understand why and how social and economic antagonisms arising out of generation and articulation of demands in a pluralistic society, undergoing modernization and democratization may be marked by identity politics. The study is located in the broader framework of rise and growth of regional parties and identity politics in India as a part and consequence of India's adopted model of state and nation building, integration and socio-economic development and transformation.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- List of Illustrations -- List of Tables -- Preface and Acknowledgements -- Chapter 1: Introduction: Region, Religion and Politics -- Chapter 2: Punjab: State, Society, Demography and Economy -- Chapter 3: Communal Consciousness and Identity in Colonial Era -- Chapter 4: Gurdwara Reform Movement and Shiromani Akali Dal -- Chapter 5: Akali Dal and the National Movement -- Chapter 6: Punjabi Suba Movement -- Chapter 7: Akali Politics in Reorganized Punjab (1967-1980) -- Chapter 8: Sikh Ethno-Nationalism, Akali Dal and Operation Blue Star -- Chapter 9: Punjab Accord and Elections -- Chapter 10: Post-Accord Insurgency and the Akali Response -- Chapter 11: Post-Militancy Return of Moderation -- Chapter 12: New Generation and Dynastic Politics -- Chapter 13: Akali Dal at 100: Trends and Challenges -- Chapter 14: Conclusion: Identity Politics and Accommodation -- Appendices -- 1: List of Abbreviations -- 2: Glossary -- 3: 100 Years of SAD: Timeline -- 4: Prominent Leaders who Steered, Influenced or Swayed Akali Politics -- 5: Akali Dal Factions -- References and Bibliography -- Index.

An objective and dispassionate study of the oldest religion based regional political party: the Shiromani Akali Dal, participating in the democratic politics and processes of socio-economic development and transformation of the country. It delineates and analyses events and developments from the emergence of the Akali Dal, as a religious movement, its transformation into a religious political party, concerned with safeguarding the political, social and economic interests of the Sikhs as a minority and to represent them in governing institutions, engaged in the struggle for power in secular domain mobilising the community support using the ideology of fusion of religion and politics, yet lacking equal support from different sections of the community. Rather than dwelling on a mere narrative of events and describing strategies, tactics and agitations of the Akalis an attempt has been made to understand why and how social and economic antagonisms arising out of generation and articulation of demands in a pluralistic society, undergoing modernization and democratization may be marked by identity politics. The study is located in the broader framework of rise and growth of regional parties and identity politics in India as a part and consequence of India's adopted model of state and nation building, integration and socio-economic development and transformation.