ABSTRACT
Political integration remains a challenge for Indo-Trinidadians in Trinidad and Tobago despite their significant roles in the Afro-dominated political system. The chapter describes the perceptions of ‘Indian-ness’ of Indo-Trinidadians along their religious affiliations and their political integration into the mainstream society. Historical accounts and personal interviews of the fourth and fifth generations of Indo-Trinidadians are incorporated to develop this chapter. Findings reveal that ‘Indian-ness’ as a transnational identity is more closely associated with Hindus than with Muslims or Christians. Second, religion as a transnational identity in political integration is examined historically alongside Indians being active players in the political arena and still alienated. Third, voting patterns of Indians indicate that religious ideologies and government support in their religious agenda govern people’s affinity and voter support to those political parties. Re-definition/re-conceptualization of the term ‘political integration’ is suggested to embrace the diverse ethnic and religious groups of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.
