Summary of Mulk Raj Anand's novel Untouchable.

'Untouchable' is a novel by Mulk Raj Anand, published in 1935. The story was inspired by his aunt's experience when she had a meal with a muslim person and was treated as an outcast by his family. Anand's novel 'Untouchable' is a sociological novel and it appeals to stress on the evils of untouchability by laying the spotlight attention on the miserable situation, combustion, poverty, and decline of an extensive section of Indian society.
                             
               The plot of this book, Anand first revolves around the argument for demolishing caste system. It depicts a day in the life of Bakha, a young 'sweeper', who is "untouchable" due to his work cleaning latrines. The story narrates a single day in the life of Bakha, the untouchable, belonging to the raker caste, generally known as 'bhangi' in many Indian languages- the caste that was considered untouchable among the downtrodden. Bakha is described as 'strong and able-bodied', full of enthusiasm and dreams varying from to dressing like a 'Tommie' in 'Fushun' to playing hockey. However, his barriers and the fact that he belongs to the lowercaste, forces him to beg for food, to often face humiliation, and to be at the mercy of the whims to other, higher caste,  hindus.

              The day depicted in the story is a tenacious one for Bakha. Over the course of the day, he is slapped in public for 'polluting' an upper caste hindu through an accidental touch and has food thrown at him by another person after he cleans her gutters. His sister is molested by a priest, he is blamed for an injury received by a young boy following a melee after a hockey match, and he is thrown out of his house by his father.

                 Finally, towards the end of the novel, three probable solutions are recommended by Anand- the three possibilities that are unveiled infront of Bakha. The foremost response is articulated through a Christian Missionary who is in search of distressed outcastes, preparing them to change their religion from Hinduism to Christianity. The second comes from the teachings of Gandhi who calls for the freeing Harijans. And, the third is that of flush toilets, a mechanism that would make his caste unnecessary. Anand comes down firmly in favor of the third.