Bhullar et al indicated in their 1984 report on the Sikhs that Dharam Yudh refers to the non-violent religious struggle of the Sikhs while Morcha means non-violent agitation (76). The Minority Rights Group indicates that Morcha means "entrenchment" and is the term applied to the mass agitations that are an important part of the Akali Dal party strategy (Shackle 1984, 14).

According to an officer at Multiculturalism Canada knowledgeable about Indian politics, Morcha were non-violent mass demonstrations led by the Akali Dal party in the late 1970s and early 1980s to protest against the government (25 Oct. 1994). Although they were meant to be non-violent, some morcha deteriorated into violent riots (ibid.).

A professor of anthropology at the University of Maine in Orono with expertise on Sikh politics, culture and history corroborated the information and added that Dharam Yudh Morcha were peaceful mass demonstrations led by Harchand Singh Longwal from 1982 to 1984 (25 Oct.1994; ibid. 26 Oct. 1994).

Political Handbook of the World: 1992 indicates that in 1982, Akali Dal leaders lent their support to a morcha that resulted in the arrest of up to 30,000 Sikhs before and after the 11 October 1982 storming of Parliament House (1992, 346; see also Political Parties of Asia and the Pacific 1985, 366). To avoid another morcha at the Asian Games in New Delhi, the government detained hundreds of people, including a number of Akali Dal party leaders (ibid.).

For further information on the morcha and its use for political purposes by the Akali Dal party in the late 1970s and early 1980s, please refer to the attached documents.

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.

Bhullar, J.S. et al. 1984. Betrayal of the Sikhs. Ottawa: Federation of Sikh Societies of Canada.

Shackle, Christopher. 1984. Report No. 65. The Sikhs. London: Minority Rights Group.

Officer at Multiculturalism Canada, Ottawa. 25 October 1994. Telephone Interview.

Political Handbook of the World 1992. 1992. New York: CSA Publications.

Professor of anthropology, University of Maine. 25 and 26 October 1994. Telephone interviews.

Bhullar, J.S. et al. 1984. Betrayal of the Sikhs. Ottawa: Federation of Sikh Societies of Canada, pp. 24, 39-43, 76-77.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. November 1984. Vol. 30, No. 11. "Events in Punjab Preceding Army Assault on Golden Temple," pp. 33221-24.

. 1983. Vol. 29, No. 10. October 1983. "Continuing Sikh Agitation in Punjab-Imposition of President's Rule," pp. 32442-44.

Shackle, Christopher. 1984. Report No. 65. The Sikhs. London: Minority Rights Group, pp. 10-11, 14.

Political Handbook of the World 1992. 1992. New York: CSA Publications, p. 346.

Political Parties of Asia and the Pacific. 1985. Edited by Haruhiro Fukui. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, pp. 364-66