A Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

untouchable boy. The boy is from ‘bhangi’
(scavanger) community and he is an orphan
also. In this novel the novelist explicitly
and without mincing words depicts the
attitude of so called upper caste society
and individuals towards the untouchables.
This novel clearly criticizes the attitude
of the society through protagonist Munnu,
who is orphan, poor, weak and above
all belongs to the untouchable community.
When a doctor gives shelter to this poor
boy when he found him injured and lying
unconscious outside his house the
Brahmans (priestly class) and other upper
caste members make a hue and cry and
press the doctor to abandon this boy.
This has been seen as ‘degeneration of
dharm’ by the upper caste brahmans. In
this way this novel becomes the mirror
of backward Indian societal attitude. In
fact this is a surgery of caste system
prevalent in the Indian society. This is
a peculiar Indian problem and by depicting
this problem this novel becomes unique
(Indian) in its nature.
The reformist movement, Gandhi’s
ideology and Premchand’s writing had great
effect on this novel. Ironically there is
little effect of Dr. Ambedkar’s Dalit
movement on this novel. This seems
strange. The writer is influenced by
Gandhian ideology who believes in
coherence and coexistence in the society
and would like to solve the problem of
untouchability with nonviolent tools such
as change of heart by love, amity, friendship
and by creating the environment for
assimilation, fraternity and understanding
among all the castes of Indian society.
In this novel Basawada tries to arouse
compassion for untouchables in the heart
of every individual and society at large.
The novel attacks and opposes the idea
of ‘poorvajanm ke karmon ka fal’ (This
birth is the result of one’s doing in previous
birth and one should accept it as grace
of God) and Punarjanm or Rebirth (If one
does good things in this birth one will
get better life in next birth) constructed
by Brahmans to befool weaker section of
the society so that they can control the
resources and enjoy the lavish life
unchallenged so far. Gandhiji on political
front and Premchand on literary front
oppose this oppressive idea manufactured
by Brahmans to defend their dominance
on the Indian society. The novelist also
rings the bell regarding the efforts of
Christian missionaries in India under
colonial rule to lure dalits to change their
religion. The protagonist boy of this
story is saved by a Gandhian who gives
him shelter in Gandhi Ashram. The boy
gets education in the ashram with other
inhabitants of the ashram without any
discrimination. So this novel not only
depicts the current scenario of the society
at that time but also tries to produce
solution of this age-old problem of the
Indian society. In this way this novel is
unique and Indian in its nature and
treatment.
January-March 2012 :: 49