COVID-19 in India: impact on social justice

The pandemic unleashed by COVID-19 emerged as a health concern that affected all aspects of social, moral, emotional, psychological, economic, and political life. India joined the league of countries to develop vaccines and received global applause for vaccinating its vast population but also for transporting it to other countries. The article studies the COVID-19 management in India by the national and sub-national governments from the point of view of the impact on social justice. The article argues that some actions and decisions taken by the government in India were hasty without keeping in view their implications on the issues related to social justice. The poor and other disadvantaged groups suffered heavily apart from the general population in the course of COVID-19 management. The innocent people bore the brunt due to the government’s inaction and apathy while making decisions. The civil society organizations such as religious deras and philanthropic individuals filled the gap left by the state in ensuring social justice.