Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable, published in 1935, is a landmark novel in Indian English literature. It presents a powerful critique of the caste system through the depiction of a single day in the life of Bakha, a young Dalit (untouchable) boy in colonial India. The novel is widely recognized for its humanistic portrayal of Dalits and for exposing the deep injustices and hypocrisies of the caste-based social order. At the same time, it also raises important questions about identity, reform, colonialism, and modernity. In this critical commentary, we will explore the thematic concerns, literary style, and socio-political implications of the novel.
Critique of Caste and Social Oppression
At the heart of Untouchable lies a sharp and unflinching critique of the Hindu caste system. Bakha, who works as a sweeper and cleaner of latrines, is subjected to daily humiliations and dehumanizing treatment simply because of his birth. He is denied the most basic dignity, unable to walk freely through public spaces, touch others, or enter temples. His life is defined not by his character or ability, but by the rigid and inescapable label of "untouchability." Anand uses Bakha’s experiences to showcase how caste discrimination functions not only as a social system but as a form of psychological violence.
Through Bakha, Anand presents the reader with the full absurdity and cruelty of untouchability. For example, Bakha is beaten simply for accidentally brushing against a high-caste man in the market. This moment symbolizes the brutal reality of a system that values ritual purity over humanity. Anand’s portrayal is deeply empathetic and rooted in realism. Rather than portraying Bakha as a one-dimensional victim, Anand gives him a voice, thoughts, and dreams—he aspires to dress like the British, play hockey, and live a life of dignity. This humanization of a Dalit protagonist was revolutionary for Indian English fiction at the time.
Colonial Modernity and Identity
A significant theme in Untouchable is the intersection of caste with colonialism. Bakha is fascinated by British culture, especially the soldiers stationed in the cantonment. He admires their manners, their clean uniforms, and the way they treat him with a degree of respect. To Bakha, the British represent a modern, rational, and egalitarian alternative to the rigid traditionalism of Indian society.
However, Anand does not present colonialism as an unqualified force of progress. While the British may not adhere to caste in the same way as Hindus, they are still complicit in the larger structure of inequality and exploitation in colonial India. Bakha’s admiration of the British can be seen as both a desire for freedom and dignity, and a reflection of internalized colonial attitudes. This duality reveals Anand’s ambivalence towards colonial modernity: it offers hope for social reform but also risks reinforcing dependence and cultural alienation.
Language and Style
Anand’s choice to write Untouchable in English was both strategic and symbolic. By using the colonizer’s language, he sought to reach a wider audience, both in India and abroad. However, he also infused the English with Indian idioms, rhythms, and cultural references to authentically capture the voice of his characters. This linguistic hybridity gives the novel a distinct texture, reflecting the complex identity of modern India—caught between tradition and change, between the local and the global.
The novel’s structure—focusing on a single day in Bakha’s life—is also significant. It allows Anand to build a concentrated and intense narrative, capturing the oppressive weight of caste as a daily reality. Yet within this limited timeframe, he also sketches a broad social canvas, including interactions with upper-caste Hindus, Muslims, British colonials, and reformers. This narrative technique reinforces the theme that even in the most ordinary day, the burden of caste is overwhelming and inescapable.
The Question of Reform
Toward the end of the novel, Bakha listens to three different voices offering solutions to the problem of untouchability: a Christian missionary, a Gandhi-like figure, and a modernist who suggests that the flush toilet could eliminate the need for manual scavenging. Each perspective reflects a different approach to social reform—religious conversion, moral persuasion, and technological innovation.
Anand does not provide a definitive answer, but instead leaves the novel open-ended, emphasizing the complexity of social change. Bakha’s confusion and uncertainty suggest that while reform is necessary, it cannot be superficial or imposed from above. True liberation must involve not only changes in policy or technology, but a transformation of mindset and social values.
Conclusion
Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable is a bold and deeply humane work that exposed the brutality of the caste system to a wide readership. Through Bakha’s character, Anand gives voice to the voiceless and calls for dignity, equality, and justice. The novel is both a product of its time—engaging with the reformist and nationalist debates of the 1930s—and a timeless critique of social exclusion. Its relevance endures, especially in contemporary discussions on caste, discrimination, and human rights. Through its narrative, Untouchable challenges readers to confront the structural inequalities of society and imagine a more just and compassionate world.
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