Gendered Subjugation within the Dalit Community: A Study of Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable
Aman1, Dr. Manoj Kumar Yadav2
1Research Scholar, Department of English, Singhania University Email:amanmudgil00@gmail.com 2Associate Professor, Department of English, Singhania University
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the intersection of caste and gender oppression in Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable, emphasising the portrayal of Dalit women in Bakha’s world. While most scholarly discussions focus on Bakha as the central figure of caste-based subjugation, this study shifts attention to the doubly marginalised experiences of Dalit women, with a particular focus on Sohini, Bakha’s sister. Using an intersectional framework, the paper argues that Anand’s depiction of Sohini reveals the compounded layers of discrimination that Dalit women face, stemming not only from their caste status but also from patriarchal norms within their community. The analysis examines pivotal moments in the narrative, such as Sohini’s harassment by the temple priest, to illustrate the unique vulnerabilities of Dalit women to caste-based and gender-based exploitation. It also delves into how cultural and familial expectations enforce silence and submission, erasing their agency and voice. Anand’s critique of these oppressive systems is contextualised within Dalit feminist theory, offering a fresh perspective on the novel that foregrounds the struggles of its female characters. By addressing the limited attention given to Dalit women in Untouchable, this paper broadens the scope of literary analysis to encompass the intersectional dimensions of caste and gender oppression. The findings highlight Anand’s narrative as a critique of caste inequality and a call to recognise the unique plight of Dalit women, whose struggles remain marginalised in both literature and society. This study underscores the importance of intersectional approaches in understanding and addressing systems of oppression in Indian literature.
Keywords: Dalit, exploitation, margins, untouchable, women
