Barring the occasional outbursts of violence, the two religious communities had lived together peacefully and shared strong social bonds except marriage.

India of the early 1930s consisted of a great mass of poor and illiterate people who were exploited by the rich and powerful, irrespective of caste or religion.

Amarkant is an intelligent and idealistic, though weak, young man who has grown up hating his father's business and adherence to the formalities of Hindu religion.

Initially unable to comprehend her husband's sympathy for the poor, Sukhada is ultimately drawn into the movement when she sees the police firing on a nonviolent demonstration for acceptance of the untouchables inside temples.

Impelled by the desire to gain similar recognition, Amarkant deviates from the path of nonviolence in favour of direct confrontation that leads to many casualties among the farmers.