The Narayanpur Incident

Set on 8 August 1942, the novel follows Babu and Manju as ordinary family life is transformed by the freedom movement. Schools close, their father is jailed and Mohan joins the underground resistance. In Narayanpur, the children gradually discover the courage to stand up against injustice, culminating in a confrontation with the police.

Shashi Deshpande is an award-winning Indian novelist whose writing career began in 1970 with short stories. She is best known for works including That Long Silence and The Dark Holds No Terrors. Her writing frequently explores family, society, identity and the experiences of women and children.

During the Quit India Movement, Babu and Manju's lives change dramatically after their father is imprisoned and their brother Mohan goes underground. The family relocates to Narayanpur, expecting the village to be untouched by the national struggle. Instead, they find a community charged with political tension. As events unfold, the children are drawn into an act of courage that brings them face to face with the police and gives them a deeper understanding of freedom and responsibility.