Stigma and Discrimination During COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been instrumental in creating a dramatic shift from people's need to live in mutual association toward a desire to stigmatize distinctive others. Pandemic seems to be causing othering. Stated simply, stigmatization is a social process set to exclude those who are perceived to be a potential source of disease and may pose threat to the effective social living in the society. Based on the secondary evidence collected from news published online or in print, the present article delves into stigma associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among different social groups in the Indian society and the mounting cases of prejudice based on race, class, and religion. It also presents insights into the varied manifestations, and the deleterious consequences of COVID-19 inspired othering brought to its potential targets in India.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated discrimination against others, with increasing stigma and prejudice based on race, class, and religion among different social groups in Indian society. Researchers have found that the phenomenon of othering brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has had severe consequences on Indian society.