Ahimsa(novel) Summary
Supriya Kelkar

Ahimsa(novel) Overview

Supriya Kelkar’s young adult historical fiction novel Ahimsa tells the story of Anjali, a ten-year-old girl growing up in India in 1942. Gandhi has asked every family to devote one family member to the freedom fighting movement against the British, and Anjali’s mother decides to join the cause. Together, Anjali and her family learn about the principle of Ahimsa - non-violence - and how to make change possible in India. Anjali and Ma decide to do social justice work with the Dalit (Untouchable) community. As Ma and Anjali’s involvement in the movement increases, so too does the danger to them and their family. When Anjali’s mother is imprisoned for her social justice work, Anjali has to take on the work herself. This novel explores the themes of Ahimsa, Equality, and Change is Possible.