Abstract
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.