Author: Dr. Purnima Bhardwaj, Rajandip Kaur

Abstract: Chitra Banerjee's novel "Independence" is an innovative perspective about independence as a beacon of martyrdom on the golden occasion of India's 75 years of independence. To quote Amitav Ghosh: “ A spellbinding saga of the decolonization and partition of the Indian subcontinent, with a case of vividly drawn, compelling characters.” The novel delves into the tumultuous phases of human life, exploring themes such as the mob mentality, heinous attacks on women, and the clash of traditional, societal, and cultural norms during the partition of India. Throughout human civilization, issues like immigration, communal riots, and social and cultural conflicts have remained crucial topics of discussion. In today's world, multicultural societies are a result of global immigration. Migration can be seen as a determining factor in various aspects such as violent conflict, ethnic tensions, the expansion of national powers, and even economic growth or stagnation. Diasporic literature often highlights the problems and concerns faced by immigrants. Those who have migrated to a new culture often experience various forms of stress that can impact their cultural norms, religious customs, and social support systems. Adjusting to a new culture from one's own can be challenging, and cultural identity plays a significant role in this process, whether one is an immigrant or a native. This paper aims to explore the issues of cultural conflicts and immigration as depicted in Chitra Banerjee's "Independence." By examining the novel's portrayal of these themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in multicultural societies and the impact migration has on their lives.

Keywords: Beacon, Cultural strife, martyrdom, gendered violence.

Article Info: Received: 08 Nov 2023; Received in revised form: 12 Dec 2023; Accepted: 20 Dec 2023; Available online: 30 Dec 2023

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.86.33