The Quest for Social Justice Identity and Everyday Student Politics During the Pandemic

Ideas of social justice and equality need critical reflection in the discourse of the ‘new normal’ after the pandemic. The study argues that the digital divide is more profound than it appears, and it has cost many Dalit-Bahujan students their lives. In the past few years, the ‘public sphere’ within university campuses has witnessed severe shrinking due to intense state repression. The voices of the students have been reduced to the mark of their attendance during the online classes. This study is based on the long-term field engagement of the researcher, including the recent phase of the pandemic. The study reflects on the events that occurred on the university campus during the pandemic period. The analysis shows that inequalities and injustices have seen a sharp rise during the pandemic. Students faced a severe crisis in terms of social, emotional, economic, and institutional support. Growing inequalities and deepening social differences continue to pose a challenge to the idea of inclusion in higher education.