Rajnats of Rajasthan and the Sex Work: An Ethnographic Study

Abstract

Rajnat community of Rajasthan was a nomadic tribe (now included in the category of Scheduled Castes), who previously engaged themselves as singers, dancers, street players and the entertainers of kings, zamindars and their subjects. However, after the dissolution of monarchy in Rajasthan and the collapse of zamindari system, Rajnats were left landless and jobless but later embraced commercial sex work. This resulted in the vulnerability, deprivation and marginalization of Rajnats. Girls are compelled and sent for bar dance to Mumbai and other cities at the tender age of 15–16 years. They are not allowed to study more than 8th class as they may change their minds for not adopting this occupation of sex work. Rajnat community is found in some villages of Rajasthan which are adjacent to the highways as this accessibility attracts the easy flow of customers to the villages. Women and girls in this community are vulnerable and mere victims of this traditional practice. Experience of physical and verbal violence is causal in this community which affects the women and children the most. Rajnats are leading a socially isolated life with a set of peculiar characteristics. The present study was conducted in the Bandarsindri village of Ajmer district in Rajasthan. The data for the study was generated through ethnographic fieldwork. This article focuses on the historical background, current status and contemporary problems faced by the Rajnat community. The study highlights the peculiar sociocultural characteristics, life and lifestyle of Rajnat community. Intergenerational transfer of ill-being is visible from the present state of the community.

Living Pattern of Nat in Rajasthan: Looking Beyond Exclusion

“…They are known as Raj Nat in Rajasthan, as they claim their Rajput origin. The Nat people being entertainers were traditionally patronized by the Rajput rulers.According to Azeez, Toolsiram and Mishra (2017) the Nat tribe in Rajasthan was nomadic and engaged in singing, dancing and street plays for a living. Their profession took them wandering across the state.…”

“…The nature of exclusion that has revolved around caste system needs to be understood in the context of the Nat community, which is facing the stigma of being a criminal tribe and due to involvement of the womenfolk in sex work. Azeez et al (2017)stated that due to the stigma attached with Nat community's occupation (sex work), they are positioned at margins in the society and are deprived, socially, culturally and economically. Thorat (2014)has argued that the stigma of untouchability with certain groups have led them to physical and social segregation and isolation, and in such cases, these groups have faced denial of freedom, and equal civil, social, cultural, religious and economic rights.…”

Cultural Hegemony and Victimisation of Bedia Women in Central India

“…Several communities, such as Nat (Azeez, Toolsiram, & Mishra, 2017) Sansi, Kanjar (TNN, 2016, Bachhada (Singh, 2019), and Bedia (Rana et al 2020) have been engaged in this occupation of prostitution for many generations. Besides, this process has resulted in creating a vicious chain of child trafficking and the spread of many sexually transmitted diseases.…”