India: Information on whether the AISSF Manjit faction believes in armed struggle as well as political means for achieving its goals, whether the AISSF believes in armed struggle or has been directly involved in armed struggle, and whether it exhorts other groups such as the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) to take up arms
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND17990.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on whether the AISSF Manjit faction believes in armed struggle as well as political means for achieving its goals, whether the AISSF believes in armed struggle or has been directly involved in armed struggle, and whether it exhorts other groups such as the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) to take up arms, 1 September 1994, IND17990.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac7760.html [accessed 30 May 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. |
According to a professor of anthropology at the University of Maine in Orono who has written extensively on Sikh history and politics, the AISSF-Manjit faction formerly believed in armed struggle, but has now adopted non-violent political struggle as its main method of operation (16 Sept. 1994). Although it does not support armed struggle at the moment, neither does it condemn it, and certainly does not discourage other factions like the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) from engaging in it (ibid.).
The professor noted that the All-India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF) is an umbrella organization of Sikh student groups. While some member organizations pursue their objectives through violent means, others do not, which explains the divisions in the AISSF (ibid.). The professor stated that the main objective of the AISSF member-organizations is to achieve an independent Punjab state and each organization decide which methods are most appropriate.
The AISSF stance on the use of armed struggle for political ends reflects the beliefs of the wider Sikh community (ibid.). Some support it while others do not (ibid.). The professor does not believe that the AISSF directs its members to pursue particular methods for achieving the goal of an independent Punjab state.
A professor of Asian cultures at the University of Windsor, who has also written extensively on Sikhism, added that the AISFF has never been a "monolithic group" (19 Sept. 1994). While all member-organizations believe in and strive for an independent Punjab, the method for achieving this objective differs from one faction to another (ibid.). The AISSF does not speak with one voice today, nor does it have the power and support it had during its most active days in the early 1980s (ibid.).
For information on the AISSF when it was led by Dhai Manjit Singh, please refer to the attachments from Agence France Presse (AFP). Please also refer to Country Profile: India, produced by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for information on the various AISSF factions.
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.
References
Professor of anthropology, University of Maine, Orono. 16 September 1994. Telephone interview.
Professor of Asian cultures, Institute of Asian cultures, University of Windsor. 19 September 1994. Telephone interview.
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 11 December 1991. "Sikh Group to Attend New Delhi Meet; 16 Die in Violence." (NEXIS)
. 27 October 1991. "Sikh Student Federation Leader Among Eight Killed in Punjab." (NEXIS)
. 18 September 1991. "Elections in Punjab Announced, 15 More Killed." (NEXIS)
Immigration and Asylum Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia. August 1993. Refugee Determination Country File: India. Canberra: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, pp. 1.4-2.2.
Additional Sources Consulted
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Asian Survey [Berkeley, Calif.]. Monthly.
Asiaweek [Hong Kong]. Weekly.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly.
Critique: Review of the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly.
Current History [Philadelphia]. Monthly.
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992.
The Europa World Year Book. Yearly.
Far Eastern Economic Review [Hong Kong]. Weekly.
Material from the Indexed Media Review (IMR).
News from Asia Watch [New York]. Monthly.
On-line searches of news articles.
Other oral sources.
Religion in Politics. 1989.
World Directory of Minorities. 1990.
