Introduction To 'Punjab And The Nationality Question In India' By Ramesh K. Chauhan

In today's India, we are witness to the three most troubled nationalities-in the north Kashmiris and Punjabis are feeling alienated from the national mainstream and in the North-East the Assamese and other smaller tribes and nationalities are at war with the Indian State. These nationalities through their militant organisations have been demanding secession from the Indian Union. Besides these secessionist movements, there is also the demand for regional autonomy like the demand for Bodoland within Assam, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) demanding a separate state within the Indian Union out of the States of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, the demand for Gorkhaland in West Bengal, a demand for Uttara Khand in Uttar Pradesh and for Vidharba State in Maharashtra etc, Such and similar types of separatist tendencies are not only impediments in the process of nation-­building at large but at times these have posed serious threats and challenges to the unity and integrity of the country.

This Important book studies in detail the nationality question in India in general and the problem of Punjabi nationality in particular.

Contents include: The Nationality Question, Problems and Issues; Historical and Theoretical Perspectives; Formation of Communities in Punjab, Formation and Fragmentation of Punjabi Nationality; The Question of Punjabi Nationality; Conclusions.

This book is a must for all legislators and politicians, scholars and students of political science, and all interested in the nationality question in India. 

About The Author Of 'Punjab And The Nationality Question In India'

Dr. Ramesh K. Chauhan did his Ph.D. (1994) from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. At present he is working as Lecturer in Political Science in Government College, Seema (Shimla). He has been regularly contributing articles to different journals. He is engaged in his post-doctoral project on "Nationality Question in South Asia."