HARIJAN: A NOVEL by Gopinath Mohanty [Paperback]

"Harijan," originally published in Odia in 1948 and now translated into English, is a groundbreaking novel by Gopinath Mohanty that explores the lives of Mehentars, a marginalized community relegated to the dehumanizing work of cleaning latrines due to their caste status. The story is centered around Jema, a strong-willed matriarch, and her fourteen-year-old daughter, Puni, who confronts the harsh realities of their existence. Through vivid characterizations and poignant narratives, the novel critiques social injustices, caste discrimination, and the struggles of the impoverished, making it a significant work in Indian literature.