Sikhi, Sikhs and Caste: Lived Experiences in a Global Context

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will bring together contributions discussing the role played by caste amongst Sikhs in contemporary times from a global perspective.  It is often remarked that the Sikh Gurus set out to abolish the caste system per se.  However, much of the justification often given for this statement is based on an over-simplified understanding of a) what ‘caste’ refers to; 2) how caste operates in the Panjab, and amongst Sikhs specifically.

Papers that explore the conjecture around the role played by caste amongst Sikhs to encapsulate lived experiences of how zat (caste) manifests itself on a practical level are welcome. Legislating against caste-based discrimination not just in India but in the UK and USA very much emphasises that caste is deeply entrenched in the India psyche. This Special Issue of Religions sets out to encapsulate such views and activism taking place on a global level. It also invites discussions around the reality of caste amongst Sikhs, and regarding how, in the UK in particular, many Gurdwaras are caste-based institutions. From the Reservations made for Dalits in Panjab India, to the amendment of the Equality Act in the UK, and to the legislation on caste in the USA, this Special Issue brings together key debates around caste amongst the global Panth (Sikh community).

You are invited to submit an abstract of 250 words highlighting your contribution to this much awaited volume, which will collate papers of 8000–10,000 words each.

Kindly send your abstracts to Dr. Opinderjit Kaur Takhar ([email protected]).

The submission deadline for the full manuscript is 31 May 2024.

Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Opinderjit Kaur Takhar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• activism
• /bani/
• caste
• egalitarianism
• endogamy
• equality
• legislation
• Panjabi culture
• pollution
• purity
• Sikhi
• /zat/