On the Margins: A Tale of the Pandemic and the Funeral Workers in Benares

Abstract

Caste is one of the core markers of Hindu society. Many castes still continue with their hereditary traditional occupations across India; burning of the funeral pyre is such an unrecognized occupation performed by the Doms. Outbreak of any infectious disease often adds to the burden of a work, which is already challenging. The pandemic COVID-19 unfolded a series of events in the lives of funeral workers in Benares, as they had to negotiate the transition from normal to pathological conditions while carrying on with their occupation. The stigma attached to their work of dealing with death and their caste identity played a pivotal part in undermining their efforts both by the State and the caste-based society at large.