Post-militancy resurrection of the Akali Dal, and prospects of renewed Sikh identity politics in Punjab

Abstract

The Sikhs in Punjab turned against militants in early-1990s, after nature of violence changed from being politically oriented to largely indiscriminate. The Akali Dal guided by desire to remain politically relevant in post-militancy era, wove ideological and electoral strategy around moderate idioms, stressing consociationalism and economic development. Tracing party’s transition to moderation and dominance in post-militancy Sikh politics, I demonstrate that template of moderation began in 1994 when party defied Amritsar Declaration, not in 1996 with often-cited Moga Declaration. The moderate paradigm still remains intact, while recent electoral setbacks may persuade party to return to some refashioned identity politics.