India: Information on the history and current status of Jat Sikhs
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND26003.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on the history and current status of Jat Sikhs, 1 January 1997, IND26003.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad317c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
For information on the four castes within the Sikh population of Punjab, please consult the attachment from Vol. 18 (Punjab) of Encyclopaedia of India. This attachment states that "Jat is the most important farming community in the state. They dominate not only the agriculture scene but also many other aspects of the life of the State" (Encyclopaedia of India 1994, 79). According to sources, Jat Sikhs are upper caste (The Economist 5 Oct. 1985; Reuters 30 Sept. 1990), farmers (The Atlantic Aug. 1988; Reuters 9 July 1991), and "constitute the vast majority of the Sikhs, especially in the Punjab" (Manchester Guardian Weekly 19 May 1985). An 11 May 1985 Economist article describes the Jats as "the land-owning and warrior castes."
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Atlantic [Boston, Mass.]. August 1988. Conor Cruise O'Brien. "Holy War Against India; Sikh Terrorism." (NEXIS)
The Economist [London]. 11 May 1985. "India; The Limits of Violence." (NEXIS)
Encyclopaedia of India. 1994. Vol. 18. Manmohan Kaur. New Delhi: Rima Publishing House. (Punjab volume)
Manchester Guardian Weekly [London]. 19 May 1985. "Call to 'Liquidate'." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 9 July 1991. BC Cycle. Ruth Pitchford. "Sikhs in Punjab Despair of Being Treated Seriously." (NEXIS)
_____. 30 September 1990. BC Cycle. Rajendra Bajpai. "Low-Castes Angry at Upper-Caste Opposition to Job Quotas." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Economist [London]. 11 May 1985. "India; The Limits of Violence." (NEXIS)
Encyclopaedia of India. 1994. Vol. 38. Manmohan Kaur. New Delhi: Rima Publishing House, pp. 75-6.
Additional Sources Consulted
Encyclopedia of Religion. Various volumes.
The Far East and Australasia 1996. 1996.
FBIS Internet search.
Internet search.
IRBDC. April 1990. India: Country Profile.
_____. April 1990. Punjab: Issue Paper.
_____. January 1989. Information Package on India.
Mahmood, Cynthia Keppley. n.d. "Why Sikhs Fight," Anthropological Contributions to Conflict Resolution.
Minority Rights Group. 1977. World Minorities.
_____. 1980. World Minorities in the Eighties.
Minority Rights Group International. 1990. World Directory of Minorities.
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. Various volumes.
Office fédéral des réfugiés. August 1988. Inde.
ShareNet database.
On-line search of media sources.