 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 200 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Tbilisi | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
Sikhs in Georgia are a religious minority in Georgia. There is estimated to be 200 Sikhs living in the country. [1]
| | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 200 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Tbilisi | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
Sikhs in Georgia are a religious minority in Georgia. There is estimated to be 200 Sikhs living in the country. [1]
Since the early 2000s, Sikh farmers from Punjab, India have been moving to Georgia due to the availability of fertile farmland and its affordability. [2] [3] Additionally, the Government of Georgia had made it easier for immigration from those with a farming background as the country had not utilized its agricultural resources. [4]
Many Punjabi farmers believed that Georgia would soon be a part of European Union therefore making it easier for them to migrate to Canada and the US. [5]
There is currently no official census of Sikhs in Georgia but at its peak there were estimated to be close to 1,800-3,000 Sikhs living there. However, since backlash from locals, immigration rules have become stricter with permanent residency and visitation. [6] A large number of Sikh farmers left Georgia as a result of this. [7]
Some of the Sikh farmers have learnt the Kartuli dialect of the Georgian language, which is known to be extremely hard to master. [9]
In 2013, a Sikh businessman donated 2 acres of land for a Sikh Gurdwara in Tbilisi. [10]
We are paying $950 [£580] for each hectare for a 99-year lease. You'd not get much for that in the Punjab. I'm not sure if the farm is in the north or south but it is sort of over by Turkey and Armenia
A large chunk of fertile land, which was lying uncultivated in Tsnori, was available at a price lower than Punjab
Georgia has stepped up the immigration of people with agricultural know-how and farmland sales to foreigners, as the country's abundant and agriculturally potent conditions have not been properly utilised by local farmers.
Though the Georgian government banned the sale of agricultural land in 2014, following protests by some local farmers, this does not affect the relations of the Punjabi settlers and their Georgian neighbours, and the reason is their shared vision of growth and mutual prosperity," said Brar, adding that farmers are now facing some permanent residency (PR) issue as earlier PR was taking place after six years of stay in Georgia, but now the period has been increased to 10 years.
Despite their efforts, however, tensions remain. About half of the community left after changes in the government led to stricter immigration and land-ownership laws.
Near the town of Rustavi, some 30km south of the capital, a Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, is being built to accommodate newly arrived worshippers.