Volume V Special Issue III August 2025

Name of Author : Dr.Mekhala Venkatesh, Amal Sandra

Title of the paper : Displacement and Disillusionment Gender Struggles and Exploitation of Santhal Women in The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey

Abstract: Hansda Sowvendra Shekhars debut novel The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey unravels the gender and power dynamics of the Santhal society emphasising upon dahnis witches. Two pertinent questions haunt the readers do such women really exist, or is it figment of superstition We see the protagonist, Rupi, suffering from strange kind of illness, which lays uncured even as the novel ends. Dulari, Rupis sister in law, is her alter ego, who in the same house, responds differently. While Rupi succumbs to the circumstances, Dulari fights to assert herself. The present qualitative study incorporating textual analysis attempts to unravel the lives of Santhal women in Jharkhand who endured persistent dispossession due to large scale mining. This encroachment into their homes and selves lead to the loss of their land, livelihood, and cultural identity. The author provides a nuanced portrayal of socio cultural issues, emphasising the endurance of women who navigate the intersection of gender and tribal exploitation.

Keywords : Gender, Displacement, Santhal tribes, Witchcraft and Exploitation.

DOI :

Page Number : 16-20