Political Landscapes and Social Crossroads: A Study of ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ by Arundhati Roy

Abstract

The current study explores the complicated portrayal of socio-political conditions in post-partition India and the contested region of Kashmir in Arundhati Roy's novel. The analysis extends to the thematic exploration and representation of transgender identity within the complex Indian society and politics. The present study aims to answer two key questions: How does Arundhati Roy depict the socio-political conditions in post-partition India and Kashmir? What is the significance and impact of the representation of transgender identity in Indian society and politics within the novel? Employing a qualitative methodology, the study draws on expository, evaluative, and systematic approaches, utilizing both primary sources from the novel and secondary sources from scholarly articles. The theoretical framework is rooted in queer theory, emphasizing the uncertainty of identity categories and challenging binary distinctions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape and transgender experiences in "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness."