Identity
of Ethnic Minorities: A Cross-National Comparison
S. Khanna |
The
ethnic minorities forming subordinate segment in the society feel
isolated, ignored and discriminated in many ways. Due to these reasons
they develop stronger social identity and they strive to protect
their separate existence. The present research is an attempt to compare
two identical races forming minority groups in two Nations-India
and Britain. 135 Asian migrants with the break-up of 60 Hindus, 45
Muslims and 30 Sikhs were taken from different cities of England.
30 White British served as control group. Sample taken in India were
(160) with a break-up of 40 Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Scheduled
Caste each. Deprivation, Identity and Socio-Cultural Status Scale
by Husain measuring different dimensions of identity was administered
to both the groups in different period of time in Britain and India.
Whites and Caste Hindus served as control groups. The scores were
interpreted with the help of X2 and percentages. It was found that
minorities in India showed more or less similar scores as compared
to Caste Hindus except national identity (Indian). The British minorities
had a different trend of results and the Sikhs showed stronger national
(British) identity as compared to other migrants.
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