• Hawaibam Loiyumba

Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable stands out as a succinct yet profound exploration of social marginalization, distinguishing itself from the author’s other, more expansive works. As an early Indian-English writer, Anand chose to illuminate the plight of the marginalized by centering his narrative on Bakha, an eighteen-year-old sweeper from the untouchable community. This novel, unfolding over the course of a single day, offers a penetrating view into the life of an individual oppressed by the rigid caste system. This paper examines the theme of marginalization through a critical analysis of Anand’s depiction of human struggle within the framework of social and religious taboos. By scrutinizing the caste system and its deleterious impact on lower-caste individuals, the study elucidates how the societal construct of untouchability dehumanizes and disenfranchises the oppressed. The narrative sheds light on the systemic exclusion faced by those deemed 'untouchable,' portraying them as societal outcasts whose very presence is regarded as contaminating. The aim of this research is to highlight the profound inhumanity inflicted upon the lower castes by upper-caste Hindus. By analyzing Bakha’s emotional and psychological experiences, the paper seeks to provide a critical understanding of the humiliation and struggles faced by the untouchables. Through this examination, the study contributes to a broader comprehension of the enduring marginalization and social injustices that characterize the human condition within the context of Anand’s work.

Human shadows, untouchable, outcast, caste-system, taboos, marginalization.

"The Human Struggle in the Shadows: Exploring Marginalization in Mulk Raj Anand's Untouchable", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no.e362-e367, August-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2408433.pdf

"The Human Struggle in the Shadows: Exploring Marginalization in Mulk Raj Anand's Untouchable", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no. ppe362-e367, August-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2408433.pdf