IDENTITY, GRIEVANCE, AND ASPIRATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SEPARATIST MOVEMENTS WORLDWIDE AND THE CASE OF KHALISTAN

Abstract

The study investigates and analyses the "Khalistan Movement," a term used to describe the Sikh separatist movement that calls for an independent country in India known as "Khalistan." This study explores different separatist movements and reveals a complex tapestry of historical, cultural, political, and socio-economic factors that contribute to their emergence, development, and outcomes. Successful and unsuccessful separatist movements alike are shaped by a confluence of these influences, each interacting uniquely within their specific contexts. Historical context, cultural identity, internal cohesion, international support, state response, economic considerations, and public sentiment all interact in unique ways to shape the outcomes of these movements. Analyzing the successes and failures of these movements underscores the intricate web of influences that determine their trajectories.