Janak Singh debuts novel on caste, identity and mobility

Veteran journalist Janak Singh has released his debut novel, Scavenger’s Daughter, a story set in India that examines caste prejudice, hidden identity and the cost of crossing social boundaries. The book is out now on Amazon and BookBaby. Why it matters: - Janak Singh is using fiction to examine how caste prejudice shapes education, marriage, dignity and access to opportunity in India. - The novel focuses on the human cost of social mobility when a person’s background can still determine safety and status. - The book extends Singh’s long-running focus on Indian public life into a more intimate look at private consequences of inherited inequality. What happened: - Janak Singh released his debut novel, Scavenger’s Daughter , on June 15, 2026. - The novel follows Sujata, the daughter of a scavenger, as she tries to build a life beyond the limits imposed by birth. - The book is available now on Amazon and BookBaby . The details: - The story is set against caste-based discrimination in India. - Sujata’s intelligence and determination help her gain entry to a progressive school where children of different castes study together. - As Sujata grows older, she adopts a new identity and describes herself as “born of good lineage.” - Sujata seeks education, opportunity and marriage into a privileged family. - The truth about Sujata’s origins later comes to light and threatens the future she has built. - Singh said he wanted to examine what happens when a person’s worth is judged by birth rather than character or ability. - Singh said Sujata’s struggle is rooted in a specific social reality, but the desire to be seen fully and fairly is universal. - Singh said fiction allows readers to enter the private life behind public issues. - Singh said he hopes the story encourages reflection on how prejudice is inherited, enforced and challenged. Between the lines: - Singh’s move from journalism to fiction suggests a shift from reporting on systems to dramatizing their emotional fallout. - The novel’s premise points to a tension between self-invention and the social structures that make reinvention dangerous. - The subject matter keeps Singh tied to themes he has covered before, including caste, politics and social justice. What’s next: - The book’s release on major online platforms gives Singh a wider reader base beyond his journalism audience. - The novel may invite discussion about caste, merit and identity in contemporary India. - Singh’s debut fiction could set up future work that continues blending social commentary with narrative storytelling.