COVID-19 Pandemic and Popular Discourses in Jharkhand: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

COVID-19 has made its imprint in human history once again providing us the opportunity to reflect and interpret the pandemic from several dimensions. It has disturbed lives of people leading to cognitive reactions apart from its physical impacts. Given the historical backdrop of pandemics, this article attempts to explore the diverse perspectives of people regarding the COVID-19 pandemic through in-depth interviews of people belonging to different strata of the society. The narratives were interpreted into themes which fall into the areas that cover popular perceptions regarding the pandemic. The responses were found to be surprisingly very complex and syncretic, from theological–spiritual rationalisations to natural or political explanations and scientific and clinical causes. Despite all scientific and technological advancements till date, the belief system has not drastically changed from what has been gleaned from the ancient theological literature.