Socio-economic Status of Badi Women and Class Consciousness in Bibek Ojha's Ailani

Abstract

The research article deals with the socio-economic status of Badi community and consciousness in them. Basically, it critically analyses the content, context and plots of the text from the perspective of Marxist concept of class consciousness. The research explores that Badi community would not have any sources of regular income; so as, they were compelled to involve in prostitution few decades back. They would be exploited sexually by the then local feudal and clients; instead, they would get certain monetary wages and goods for their survivals.It also explored that the community would consider the profession (as sex workers) as their karma and dharma; and, nobody would prohibit them from involving in the profession. The caste system upon them was also rampant at that time; and, they were socio-economically and politically oppressed, discriminated, exploited and prohibited from the social activities and public practices. The research shows the terrible and panic situation of Badi girls/women due to the multi-layers of exploitations based on the primary text Ailani by Bibek Ojha. The researcher employs the qualitative approach with exploratory method in the research.