Fostering intercultural competence through critical incident exercises: Integrating Sikh cultural practices into pedagogical spaces

Given the epistemic invisibility of Sikh cultural practices in mainstream curricula and learners’ limited exposure to minority cultures in Kerala, this paper examines how critical incident exercises (CIEs) can foster intercultural competence among young adult learners. Focusing on Sikh religious and cultural practices such as langar, kirpan, turban, and dietary customs, the exercises prompted them to participate in classroom discussions and write reflective notes. A thematic analysis of their notes establishes CIEs as effectively promoting critical thinking, dialogic learning, and cultural sensitivity. It further underscores the integration of Sikhism into pedagogical spaces, where dominant cultural voices shape cultural assumptions.