Pandemic exposes inequality. The effect of pandemic on the indigenous communities has been different from others in many aspects of life. The imposition of lockdown throughout the country can also be attributed to COVID disparity faced by them. The consequences of such a pandemic on these communities can be considered majorly in two ways. One is by looking into the contemporary situation that affected these groups, while the other is by glancing over the indigenous responses so produced by them to cope with the situation.
Jangam are the wandering religious indigenous groups, who sing ‘Shiv Katha’, about the glory of their Lord and carry forward the traditional practice of talli bhiksha to earn a living. They can be spotted in various lanes and bazaars across the towns and cities. According to the Idate commission report, they are considered to be a part of the de-notified nomadic and semi nomadic tribal communities, under the nomadic tribes category in the state of Haryana. However, they are identified under the BC-A category by the government.
The sudden imposition of the first lockdown restricted the members of the community in many different aspects. The present paper aims at differential understanding of the Jangam community at the times of COVID-19 pandemic, with special reference to the socio- economic and cultural constraints faced by them. Therefore, it would throw light on the ways the first lockdown affected the people of the community. It would also discern the efforts made by the members of the community to help themselves as well as the other aids available for them to cope with the situation.
