Mulk Raj Anand's novel Untouchable (1935) is one of the seminal works of Indian English literature that explores the deep-rooted caste system in India and its impact on the lives of those labeled as "untouchables." The novel follows the life of Bakha, a young man from the lowest stratum of the caste hierarchy, and brings to light the sheer misery and suffering faced by individuals belonging to the untouchable class. Through Bakha's life and struggles, Anand portrays the oppression, humiliation, and dehumanization that untouchables endured as a result of social, religious, and cultural prejudices. The narrative brings to the forefront the social, psychological, and physical toll of caste-based discrimination, illustrating the complex ways in which it penetrated all spheres of life in colonial India.
Social Hierarchy and the Birth of Untouchability
In Indian society, the caste system, which is rigidly defined by birth, ranks people in a hierarchical order. The Brahmins, at the top of the pyramid, are considered pure, while those who fall outside the four varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra) are relegated to the lowest category, referred to as the "untouchables" or "dalits." These individuals, due to their birth, were considered ritually impure and were assigned tasks deemed "polluting" by the rest of society. Anand's Untouchable focuses on the life of Bakha, a young man who works as a sweeper and latrine cleaner in the town of Bulandshahr. The very nature of Bakha’s work positions him as one of the most oppressed figures in the social order.
Bakha’s father, Lakha, a fellow sweeper, is portrayed as a figure who has internalized the social hierarchy, resigning himself to the fact that untouchables are destined for lives of servitude and degradation. They are forced to live in segregated areas, away from the rest of society, and are subject to constant physical abuse, verbal insults, and social exclusion. Anand's novel exposes the cruelty and inhumanity that comes with the enforced alienation of this class.
The Physical and Psychological Suffering of Bakha
Bakha's life, as depicted by Anand, is filled with instances of suffering that both stem from external social forces and internal psychological trauma. He is acutely aware of his position in the caste hierarchy, yet dreams of breaking free from it. He suffers physically from the filth and grime of his work, as well as from the shame and abuse that society inflicts upon him. One of the most poignant aspects of Bakha's misery is his constant exposure to unclean tasks that are meant to maintain the "purity" of the upper castes. He cleans latrines, removes dead animals from the streets, and is subjected to ridicule for performing these "polluting" jobs.
Anand vividly portrays the physical filth of Bakha's work environment. The very act of cleaning latrines, an essential yet despised task, is an experience that constantly reminds Bakha of his inferior status. It is also a deeply humiliating process, as Bakha is forced to touch filth and excrement, symbolizing the uncleanliness imposed upon him by his caste. The powerful imagery used by Anand in describing the conditions of the untouchables creates a visceral sense of the suffering that Bakha endures.
However, the psychological suffering that Bakha experiences is equally profound. He is constantly made to feel inferior, not only by the higher castes but also by his own people. Anand reveals the inner conflict that Bakha faces as he oscillates between a deep sense of inferiority and his desire for a better life. He wants to escape the fate dictated by his birth, but he is continually reminded that there is no way out for someone like him. Bakha’s misery is compounded by his awareness of the powerlessness that comes with his untouchable status. He feels a strong sense of shame, internalizing the belief that he is somehow less than human because of his caste.
Social Discrimination and Humiliation
Bakha's suffering is not limited to his physical toil and inner conflict; it is also compounded by the social discrimination he faces daily. One of the central themes in Untouchable is the constant humiliation and abuse that untouchables endure. Bakha's encounter with various characters throughout the novel highlights the brutal ways in which the upper castes treat him and his fellow untouchables. In the novel, Bakha is repeatedly insulted, spat upon, and treated as if he is invisible. One of the most harrowing incidents of humiliation occurs when Bakha tries to enter a temple to hear the priest’s sermon. Despite his desire to seek spiritual solace, Bakha is violently rejected by the priest and the temple officials, who deem him "impure" and unworthy of entering a sacred space.
This incident symbolizes the social exclusion of the untouchables from the religious and spiritual life of the society. While the upper castes are allowed to participate in religious rituals and ceremonies, untouchables are systematically excluded. The idea of "pollution" and "purity" is central to this exclusion, and Anand uses these religious practices to critique the unjust social order that perpetuates untouchability. For Bakha, this rejection is not only an assault on his personal dignity but also a symbolic reminder of his permanent status as an outcast. The temple, which should serve as a place of equality and spiritual connection, becomes yet another space of exclusion and degradation.
The Suffering of Women and the Cycle of Oppression
Another key aspect of the untouchables' misery in the novel is the gendered nature of their suffering. Women, particularly those from the untouchable class, face a double burden of oppression – both as untouchables and as women. Though Anand does not focus extensively on female characters, the brief glimpses we get of women in the novel highlight their suffering. Bakha's sister, for example, is portrayed as someone who faces exploitation and abuse not just because of her caste but also due to her gender. The intersection of caste and gender creates a double layer of vulnerability for untouchable women, who are subject to sexual exploitation, forced labor, and social neglect.
Bakha's mother, too, is portrayed as a figure who must endure her subjugation silently, as societal norms dictate that women—especially from the untouchable class—remain subservient and invisible. Their pain, while deeply felt, is rarely acknowledged, even by the male characters within the community. This underscores the complex nature of oppression, where even the suffering of one marginalized group can be compounded by the suffering of another group within that same marginalized category.
Conclusion: Hope Amidst the Misery
Despite the overwhelming suffering depicted in Untouchable, the novel does not end in total despair. In the final chapter, Bakha encounters the great social reformer, Mahatma Gandhi, whose ideas about untouchability offer a glimmer of hope. Gandhi's message about the importance of eliminating untouchability and treating all people with dignity and respect serves as a potential path to redemption, both for Bakha and for the society at large. However, Anand does not sugarcoat the reality; he presents Gandhi’s ideas as a hope that needs to be actively fought for in a deeply entrenched social system.
Anand’s Untouchable is a stark and searing portrayal of the misery and suffering that was a daily reality for millions of untouchables in colonial India. The novel not only critiques the caste system but also challenges readers to reflect on the humanity of those deemed "untouchable." Through Bakha’s experiences, Anand invites the reader to empathize with the untouchables’ plight and recognize their inherent dignity, thus calling for a radical transformation of Indian society that would ensure justice and equality for all.
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