The Political Economy of Punjab: Creating Space for Sikh Militancy

The resurgence of Bhindranwale's image in contemporary Punjab

“…3 This article, however, wishes to put the re-emergence of Bhindranwale's image within its historical context in order to understand such subsequent signs and expressions. As Telford (1992) points out, the multifarious character of the Sikh community in rural and urban contexts has presented opportunities over time for leaders and political interests both to attempt to consolidate Sikh identity and to contest it from within, highlighting various social cleavages and structural reasons behind the tensions between regional Punjabi/Sikh aspirations and the overly centralised Indian politico-economic system. It is likely that these tensions will keep on contributing to divergent portrayals of Bhindranwale who is seen both by his supporters as well as opponents as the most inspirational figure behind regional Sikh aspirations.…”

“…9 The techniques of production were revolutionised, social relations were restructured and the social cultural ethos was altered. While there was an increase in agricultural output, the benefits of the green revolution were not experienced proportionately or evenly (Telford 1992). Thus, modernisation through the green revolution in Punjab can be characterised, in Marxist terms, as having two forms: progressive and degenerative.…”