The Characters and History Behind Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

In her bestselling, highly anticipated second novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Booker Prize–winning author Arundhati Roy weaves together the lives of a diverse cast of characters from throughout the Indian subcontinent. The violence of India’s ancient caste-system and the memory of the 1947 Partition are never far away, if not right in the forefront, creating divisions that Roy’s characters must contend with and bridge. They are upper-caste Hindu, Dalit, Muslim (Sunni, Shia, Sufi), Christian and Sikh; they are from the South as well as North; they are Kashmiris—civilians as well as militants fighting for liberation from India. Some are working for the Indian Intelligence Bureau. Many fall between the borders of castes and religions and nationalities.

The conflict has left its mark. Roy shows, however, that despite their differences, her characters have much in common. Each fights a personal battle—as one says, “Indo-Pak is inside us” (p. 27). These inner struggles, along with the reality of the tumultuous world in which they live, threaten to tear them apart. Like all of us, though, they seek to be healed, to be accepted, and to be cared for, and it is this human desire that brings them together and unites them.

In this sweeping narrative, as she displays the breadth of humanity, Roy introduces us to a great many figures. We at the Reading Group Center have created a character guide to help you follow them all. Print it out, stick it in your book, and refer to it as needed.*

*Or scroll down to find the full text.
 

It’s also helpful to have some background on the conflict that permeates the area. Keep reading for a brief history of the Indo-Pakistani conflict.*

The animosity between India and Pakistan started when the two countries were formed by the partition of British India in 1947, creating a Hindu-majority India with a large Muslim minority and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Millions of people were violently displaced or killed during the separation.

India and Pakistan both lay claim to Kashmir, the northernmost region of the subcontinent. India currently controls about two-thirds of the area, basing their claim on an agreement signed in 1947; this is administered as the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which includes the largely Buddhist region of Ladakh. Pakistan controls the other third, citing the Muslim majority in the area. Kashmir, which has been the center of conflict for three wars and countless skirmishes between India and Pakistan, is widely considered one of the world’s the most heavily militarized zones.

Within Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir Valley is the most contentious area. Kashmiris are calling for Azadi: freedom from India and autonomous rule. The inhabitants of the Valley are predominantly Muslim. There was a tiny minority of Hindu Brahmins called Kashmiri Pandits, most of whom left the valley in the early ’90s when the conflict began. In attempts to maintain control of the area, India has deployed half a million soldiers there, making it one of the densest military occupations in the world.  The Indian forces have committed acts against the Kashmiris that have been called violations of human rights. The Kashmiri militants, though lacking the power and scale of a state, have been condemned for their acts as well. According to the Associated Press, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 68,000 people.

*Please note that our summary of this complex and ongoing conflict is by no means comprehensive and is meant only to inform your reading of this book. (Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pakistani_wars_and_conflicts, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_conflict, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_conflict#Reasons_behind_the_dispute)

Character Guide for The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

Ahlam Baji – The midwife who delivered Aftab/Anjum

Zakir Mian – A friend of Anjum’s father and proprietor of A-1 Flower who accompanies Anjum to Ajmer, where they are caught in a riot