Folk Horror and Witchcraft: Exploring the Rhetoric of Tribal Evil Tradition and Marginalization of Women in Baso-jhi by Sowvendra Sekhar Hansda and Reincarnation of Parasuram by Anil Ghorai

Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Sowvendra Sekhar Hansda, a writer from Jharkhand and an ethnic member of the Santhal community, and Anil Ghorai, a Bengali writer have come forward with their powerful literary oeuvre to bring to the surface the helpless agonies of marginalized subalterns and Adivasi women and allow them a voice against the oppression and violence. Both the writers possess extraordinary knowledge and firsthand experience of tribal culture, tradition and practices. They were very much conscious about the bleak ground reality of oppression and abashment practiced either by the money-minded bourgeois class in the name of progress or by the rest of the society under casteism. And when this subjugation comes to the women, different layers began to be added. The most exploited and primitive weapon in this regard comes in the version of witchcraft, black magic and sorcery within their segregated society and which is already fighting against so much odds. The present article attempts a critical appraisal of ‘Baso-jhi’ by Sowvendra Sekhar Hansda and ‘Reincarnation of Parasuram’ by Anil Ghorai to bring to the surface the layered patriarchal marginalization of women within their community and the menace that this barbaric practice of witch hunt exercises upon womenfolk and finally the horror that embodies the entire folk existence.

Identifying Barriers to SDG Awareness Among Scheduled Caste Youth in Tamil Nadu

Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Despite the sustainable development goals’ (SDGs) emphasis on inclusion, marginalized youths are denied full participation due to discriminatory practices. Despite a few studies examining the SDGs and their social targets, none has examined young people’s awareness of the SDGs in Scheduled Castes (SCs). In our study, we analysed the narratives of 40 SC youth in seven districts of Tamil Nadu, who have historically been marginalized. In this study, we examined how SC youth experience social exclusion and what factors contribute to their lack of awareness of schemes and programmes. We suggested ways to promote the involvement of SC youth in achieving Tamil Nadu’s SDGs.