Structural Violence: A Tool of Oppression in Munshi Premchand’s Nirmala

Munshi Premchand was a progressive writer in India during nineteenth century. His writings revolve round the social themes such as caste, class, women’s rights, poverty, superstitions, feudalism and onslaught of capitalism on middle lower class people. Due to his utmost attachment with commoners, he is regarded Charles Dickens India. He has written almost more than dozen novels three hundred short stories Hindi Urdu. works; Gaban, Godan, Karmbhoomi, Sewasadan, Mantra, Namak Ka Daroga, Idgah etc. highlight reformative concerns. novel, Nirmala, which underscores constant oppression young girls result mismatched marriages, quite popular among readers. It weaves its plot around exploitation sixteen-year-old girl named Nirmala depicts how ill-matched marriages caused by lack suitable dowry bring downfall families general emotionally shatter particular. The heroine novel driven her plight not out free choice but due compulsions society imposed upon newly married girls. laws, norms rules patriarchal creates, legitimizes maintains for smooth functioning become oppressive many cases women they are trained follow these since childhood their childhood. Violence odd biased structures any given called structural violence. Its covert form prohibits people meet most basic needs life/existence. Johan Gultung, Norwegian sociologist, theorizes this violence pointing towards various socio-cultural norms/structures restrict freedom who fail fit themselves into structures. present research paper genuine endeavor those subtle systemic ways through protagonist made victim number unfair norms.