Chapter III

Socials Evils in Untouchable

In Anand’s Untouchable we get a portrayal of the pathetic lives of outcastes. The

protagonist of the novel, Bakha, a sweeper, belongs to the lowest level of Hindu society

where he neither has any opportunity to be elite nor stand equally with other subalterns

subjugated under colonial rule. His position and occupation have been predestined by

religion, and later this religious dogma has been used by the upper castes to subjugate

“polluted” people like him. The people who clean the upper caste’s dirt live in the most

horrible dirt. In Untouchable, the outcastes are not allowed to mount the platform of the

well nor allowed to go to the nearby stream. It is believed that their touch will pollute the

water. They have only one way to get the biggest means of survival – wait for a high caste

Hindu. They have to wait a whole day sometimes to find a high caste, kind enough and

with time, to help them.

Sohini, Bakha’s beautiful sister, has been defiled by a Brahmin which shows the

hypocrisy of the upper caste Brahmins and “pollution.” Her brother knows this, and yet is

helpless. He can only curse his sister’s beauty and think, “Oh, God, why was she born,

why was she born as if beauty is not for the outcaste. A contrary picture can be found if an

untouchable goes against the institutionalized socio-religious dogmas. The society unites

and becomes the judge of that helpless creature, as we have seen in Untouchable when

Bakha unconsciously touched an upper caste man. The polluted Hindu is enraged when

touched by Bakha and responds as a representative of the orthodox upper caste

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Hindu: “They ought to be wiped off the surface of the earth. Bakha hates his work but he

has no option to escape as it is his inherited disgrace. He finds that only the Muslims and

the “sahib” do not mind being touched by him.

Anand’s Untouchable is an great example for showing discrimination faced by

Indian outclasses. The protagonist of the novel continuously struggles against social

discrimination, hypocrisy, cruelty, injustice and inhumanity. When Kalinath tries to

molest his sister Sohini. His eyes turn red with anger but unable to do anything. He

realizes the truth that human beings discriminate against caste and class. He doesn’t have

any right or there is nothing any ray of light to stop all this discrimination. He wishes to

struggle against the emancipation of the untouchable. His first attempt for equality in

society is to attend his high caste friend’s sister’s marriage. Society is based on the caste

hierarchy. But we are human beings, we need equal rights in society. At the end of the

novel, Bakha gets three possible solutions to the problem of untouchability. The first

option is a missionary that conversion to Christianity; the second option is Mahatma

Gandhi, who fights out for the ending of untouchability; and the third option is a poet

named Sarshar mentions the imminent arrival of flushing toilets which eradicates the need

for humans to handle refuse. This modern toilet helps to end untouchability. After return

at home from Gol Maidan, he is strongly hopeful about the change.

More than 160 million people in India are considered "Untouchable" people

tainted by their birth into a caste system that deems them impure, less than human. India's

Untouchables are relegated to the lowest jobs, and live in constant fear of being publicly

humiliated, paraded naked, beaten, and raped with impunity by upper-caste Hindus

seeking to keep them in their place. Merely walking through an upper-caste

neighbourhood is a life-threatening offense.

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Discrimination is the activity that makes a person feel ignored and sidelined.

Commenting upon people’s sexuality, age, gender, caste or any other thing makes

that person feel less and ashamed. Indirect discrimination is not done intentionally

but the aftermaths of some provisions affect some people or groups of people. There

is a need to formulate policies that do not discriminate against a person at all and do

not hurt the sentiments. There is a need for a law that will cover all sorts of

discrimination and would help the people who become victims of the discrimination.

The rights and interests of a person are violated due to discrimination. It occurs

when a person is deprived of their common rights. Discrimination is a very heart-breaking

practice that promotes inequality. In ancient times, due to discrimination lower caste

people were not allowed to use the services made for the public, the children belonging to

the lower caste were not allowed to go to school. The women in this world have been

victims of discrimination for ages and still suffer this at the home, workplace, or any other

place.

India got its independence on 15th August 1947 from British rule. Though we are

independent of foreign rule still, some major social issues continue their pace in India.A

social issue generally refers to the issues of a country that basically harms its social and

cultural aspects.Some of the vital social issues are poverty, child labour, corruption,

unemployment, drug addiction, offences against the women such as rape, caste-based

discrimination, and many more.

Poverty is one of the biggest social issues in india. Poverty is a complex and

multi-faceted issue that affects millions of people around the world, including India. It is

defined as a lack of access to the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, clothing,

and healthcare. Poverty can have a profound impact on individuals and communities,
 23

limiting their opportunities, exposing them to health and environmental risks, and

perpetuating a cycle of poverty from one generation to the next.In India poverty is a

significant challenge with a large portion of the population living below the poverty line.

The country has made progress in reducing poverty over the years, but there is still much

work to be done. Understanding the causes of poverty in India is crucial in order to

develop effective solutions and tackle the issue at its root. In this article, we will read the

reasons for poverty in India.

There are several factors that contribute to poverty in India, some of the major

reasons are lack of education, high population growth, economic inequality, agriculture

dependence, poor infrastructure, natural disaster, etc. A large proportion of the population

in India is illiterate and lacks the necessary skills and education to secure well-paying

jobs. For example, a young girl in the village may be unable to attend school due to the

high cost of education or the need to work to support her family. This limits her ability to

acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to secure stable and remunerative

employment. Similarly, a young boy in the village may be unable to attend school due to

the lack of schools in the area or the need to work to support his family, reducing his

income and limiting his ability to meet his basic needs.

Caste-based discrimination traces its origins to ancient Indian society, where the

caste system was developed to classify people based on their occupations and social

status. The four primary varnas (castes) were Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and

Shudras, with the latter relegated to menial and servile tasks. Within the caste system, the

lowest rung was occupied by the "Dalits" or "Scheduled Castes" who were subjected to

extreme social ostracism, often referred to as "untouchability." They were denied basic
 24

human rights, such as access to education, places of worship, and even clean drinking

water.

Within the caste system, the lowest rung was occupied by the "Dalits" or

"Scheduled Castes" who were subjected to extreme social ostracism, often referred to as

"untouchability." They were denied basic human rights, such as access to education,

places of worship, and even clean drinking water. One of the critical aspects where

castebased discrimination is prominent is education. In India, the caste role in education is

discriminating where it excluding from their rights. Education is an important tool for

social transformation but caste-based discrimination makes it difficult and slows one.

Discrimination is found in the schools across India where scheduled caste students face

discrimination, and sometimes they are excluded from the activities and the students of

other communities.It was found that teachers are not interested to work hard on the

scheduled caste students with the mentality that these lower caste community children

have no future and involve themselves in the menial, traditional, caste-based occupations

later in life. Caste in the educational sphere affects the performance of students and

mostly poor children’s are lower education participation found which is higher portion

students in schools and they belong from the marginalized household which can be

scheduled caste, scheduled tribe,Muslims, females those are vulnerable to access

education because of their poor conditions.

Dalits face violence and atrocities in many parts of India, which range from verbal

abuse and physical assaults to sexual violence. Many cases go unreported due to fear and

social stigmatization. Discriminatory and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of over

167 million people in India has been justified on the basis of caste. Caste is descent-based

and hereditary in nature. It is a characteristic determined by one’s birth into a particular

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caste, irrespective of the faith practiced by the individual. Caste denotes a traditional

system of rigid social stratification into ranked groups defined by descent and occupation.

Caste divisions dominate in housing, marriage, employment, and general social

interaction—divisions that are reinforced through the practice and threat of social

ostracism, economic boycotts, and physical violence. This practice relegates Dalits, or

socalled untouchables (known in Indian legal parlance as scheduled castes), to a lifetime

of discrimination, exploitation and violence, including severe forms of torture perpetrated

by state and private actors in violation of the rights guaranteed by the Convention. India

has consistently cited its numerous legislations and government policies as a measure of

compliance with its obligations to end caste-based discrimination, choosing to ignore its

failure to implement these measures which has resulted in continued, and sometimes

enhanced, brutalities against Dalits.

Dalits are prohibited from taking part in religious and cultural rituals and festivals,

including through a ban on marriage processions on roads. Where Dalits are included in

village ceremonies and festivals, their participation is limited to the performing of

degrading tasks. Additionally, they are expected to provide services during rituals and

festivals without remuneration.

Bakha's encounter with an upper-caste man in the street exemplifies the strict

boundaries of untouchability. When Bakha accidentally brushes against the man, he faces

severe backlash and is reminded of his 'impure' status. "Hey you, chamar! How dare you

touch me?" This incident showcases the pervasive discrimination based on caste and the

dehumanization faced by untouchables in everyday interactions.

The segregation of Bakha and his community is starkly evident when they are

restricted from accessing common resources like water from the well. The humiliation
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faced by Bakha when he attempts to draw water for an upper-caste character illustrates

the societal norms that enforce segregation and exclusion. Sohini's predicament highlights

the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society. Her attempt to wash clothes at the

well results in assault, showing the vulnerability of lower-caste women and their lack of

protection or recourse against such violence.

Bakha's family and the untouchable community's economic plight is evident in

their struggle to make a living. Their occupation as cleaners of human waste and the

disdainful treatment they receive showcase how they are relegated to menial, low-paying

jobs, perpetuating their cycle of poverty and lack of opportunities. The absence of

educational opportunities for Bakha and other untouchable children is highlighted

throughout the narrative. Denied access to schools due to their caste, they are deprived of

the chance for intellectual growth and a pathway out of their marginalized existence.

Religious

The disparity in religious practices and the treatment of untouchables within

places of worship are depicted when Bakha is prevented from entering the temple.

Despite preaching equality and compassion, the religious institutions uphold

discriminatory practices, showcasing the hypocrisy prevalent in society. Bakha's

encounters with the police and the justice system emphasize the systemic prejudice

against the lower castes. His unjust treatment and lack of redress expose the biases

ingrained within law enforcement and the legal system.

Mulk Raj Anand’s novel Untouchable serves as a poignant portrayal of the

entrenched social evils that plagued Indian society during the era of British colonial rule.

Published in 1935, the novel offers a compelling narrative that vividly exposes the

inhumane treatment, discrimination, and systematic oppression faced by the Dalit

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community, commonly known as the untouchables, under the rigid caste system. At the

heart of the narrative lies the pervasive issue of caste discrimination, a practice deeply

ingrained in Indian society.

The caste system, with its hierarchical structure, relegated individuals to specific

societal roles based solely on their birth. Anand's protagonist, Bakha, embodies the plight

of the untouchables, condemned to a life of perpetual marginalization and social

ostracization. Bakha's experiences epitomize the stark reality of discrimination faced by

those deemed inferior in the caste hierarchy. One of the most appalling manifestations of

this discrimination is the practice of untouchability. Anand masterfully illustrates how the

untouchables were considered impure and segregated from mainstream society. Denied

access to basic amenities such as clean water sources and barred from entering certain

places, the untouchables were subjected to dehumanizing treatment, highlighting the

deep-seated prejudice and social exclusion they endured.

The novel vividly portrays the degrading occupations imposed upon the Dalit

community, particularly through Bakha's job as a sweeper. Cleaning human waste, an

occupation forced upon him due to his caste, symbolizes the oppressive and demeaning

nature of the roles assigned to the untouchables. Their relegation to menial tasks not only

perpetuated their societal degradation but also denied them opportunities for social

mobility and economic betterment. Moreover, Anand adeptly showcases the

intersectionality of social evils faced by the untouchables. The nexus of poverty, lack of

education, and limited opportunities further entrenches their marginalized status. Denied

access to education and better employment prospects, Bakha's aspirations for personal

growth and upward mobility are stifled, underscoring the systemic barriers perpetuated by

the caste-based society.

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The novel's narrative unveils the pervasive inequality and prejudice prevalent in

society, where the untouchables are subjected to verbal abuse, physical violence, and

systemic discrimination solely based on their caste identity. The deeply rooted prejudices

of the higher castes perpetuate a cycle of oppression and dehumanization, relegating the

untouchables to a subhuman status, denying them the basic rights and dignity afforded to

others.

In essence, Untouchable serves as a stark indictment of the social evils ingrained

in the fabric of Indian society during the colonial period. Anand's portrayal of the

untouchables' plight resonates as a call for social reform, challenging the oppressive caste

system and advocating for equality, dignity, and justice for all individuals irrespective of

their caste or social status. Mulk Raj Anand's Untouchable stands as a powerful testament

to the social evils perpetuated by the caste system in India. Through Bakha's poignant

narrative, the novel sheds light on the dehumanizing practices of discrimination,

untouchability, exploitation, and inequality faced by the Dalit community. Anand's work

remains a poignant reminder of the imperative need for societal transformation, urging for

an inclusive society free from the shackles of caste-based discrimination and injustice.