7-BOOK REVIEW: THE NATION’S TORTURED BODY;  (Part3)    
             VIOLENCE, REPRESENTATION, AND THE FORMATION OF A SIKH “DIASPORA”:
   BRAIN KEITH AXEL (2001) [297P] ISBN: 0-8223-2615-9
  A BOOK REVIEW: KAVNEET SINGH
  Axel assumes that no one has read books by the above three so-called scholars. It would surprise him that there many Sikhs who make it a point to particularly read their [Mcleod and his ex-student’s] books thoroughly and write critical analysis’s with proper references. There is plenty of evidence of this in the form of books, periodicals and on the internet which a scholar like Axel if need be can very easily access. Instead of answering rebuttals in a logical cogent manner, Mcleod and his clique never ever reply, instead blame all the Sikhs, for their own sloppy and overtly biased scholarship and yet keep crying wolf
_“W.H.Mcleod (1998,_ _1999) has offered his own powerful_ _and insightful_ _critique_ _of Sikh_ _Studies. In particular, he has covered many of the issues_ _I introduce_ _in the chapter,_ _including the use of the term, “fundamentalism” and the demonizing of Oberoi, Pashura_ _Singh, and himself. I am very much in agreement with his conclusions_ _–_ _although I_ _cannot engage them here_ _–_ _and hope that the analyses in this chapter maybe taken as a_ _supplement”._
Axel again very clearly agrees with the ‘headhunter’ Mcleod either out of sheer ignorance which is probably not true; then the only other possible explanation seems to be that he purposely chooses to ignore Mcleod’s major shortcoming and failings in doing proper research and furthermore never once checking other resources which are easily available, to; at the very least, give a more balanced conclusion. The book, “Invasion of the Religious Boundaries”, edited by Dr. J.S.Mann, Dr.S.S.Sodhi, et.al [2], rebutting Harjot Oberoi’s work seems to have been the only material Axel used to draw his conclusions in reference to the “Khalistani Authors”. This book contains no less than 24 well known scholars of high repute. Nineteen of them with Ph.D’s two with law degrees, two from (ex)-Indian Administrative Service and one with double masters in the Sciences.
Time and time again he refers to all [these] academic scholars who refute McLeod and his clique, as Khalistanis. Furthermore little does Axel realize that if he took the time to research these “Khalistani authors” he is alluding to in his book very often, the vast majority of them are not even anywhere close to being involved in any kind of politics at all; or furthermore in his patronizing terms “orthodox Sikhs”, in fact, are doing full time research purely on the Sikh Faith and History. Further if only Axel had read any of the books written by even one of the 24 authors he may have had a more unbiased result.
This shows that Axel is keenly aware of the ‘other’ authors but instead of reading and researching their books he chose to consciously ignore them, instead labeling them as ‘Khalistanis’. Oberoi and their clique are experts at applying new labels to Sikhs of all shades, without any proof whatsoever. Does that make all well meaning Jews trying to correct and/or be critical of “any” scholar who chooses to write material detrimental to the fundamentals of their Faith be branded as “Rabid-Israeli-Zionists” by non-Jewish scholars?
_My respect for the Sikh diaspora, unfortunately, is met with the limits of my own_ _techniques of research and writing. If anything, writing this story of the Sikh diaspora_ _has taught me_ _–_ _as the cliché says_ _–_ _that there is yet much more to learn._
Axel does acknowledge his limitations. Axel never once mention’s any other ethnic or religious group which he can compare or contrast with, to put his entire thesis in perspective. An example of the Jews who very similar in many ways to the Sikhs and their entire modus-operandi before and after acquiring their supposed long lost land was never mentioned even once. Even though Axel tries to be respectful and mindful of the Sikhs, he inadvertently ends being offensive by patronizingly portraying the Sikhs as delusional.
Practically all the books used by Axel to write this book, are McLeod’s and his entrouge of disciples. There is a whole slew of books which might have given a more meaningful understanding of the Sikh mind in the Diaspora are missing from his bibliography. A very superficial book, to say the least.
POSTED BY
PARMJIT SINGH SEKHON