Inequality in Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable

Abstract

Great novelist Mulk Raj Anand has addressed socioeconomic issues in his writing. His passion is portraying contemporary India, complete with its corruption, untouchability, starvation, poverty, superstitions, labor troubles, and economic anxieties. The novel Untouchability focused on the underprivileged segment of Indian society that was deemed “Achhut” untouchable, meaning that
upper-class individuals “Swarna Varga” were not allowed to touch them. Through the characters of Bakha, a sweeper, Lakha, the chief of the sweepers in the area, Solini, a Dalit girl, Charat Singh, a charitable man, and many more, the novel accurately portrays society. These figures represent Indian society’s spoilt and collapsing traditional traditions. But the book also shows how society may tolerate cruel, terrible behavior when it comes to the Dalit Vagra, as well as the kindness and compassion displayed by the author’s characters and the optimism that can be seen in the midst of despair thanks to Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. The narrative also emphasizes how technology was developed and used to elevate humanity through cruel practices like manual rummaging.