2025

Unveiling Political Deception; Velutha’s Portrayal in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things: A Research Study

Author(s): Jagajjananee Jena

Abstract

Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things is a powerful literary involvement into the social, political, and moral issues of postcolonial India. Behind its lyrical narrative lies a sharp critique of caste suppression, ideological hypocrisy, and institutional violence. Among its many characters, Velutha emerges as the most politically charged figure. His life and death expose the deception embedded in political systems that outwardly claim egalitarianism while inwardly sustaining caste hierarchies. This article argues that Velutha’s portrayal acts as Roy’s most phenomenal critique of political deception, revealing how progressive ideologies, state machinery, and social morality collaborate to silence the subaltern people of India.