Social Justice and Inclusive Development in Vikas Swarup's The Accidental Apprentice

This paper examines the themes of social justice and inclusive development in Vikas Swarup’s novel The Accidental Apprentice through a detailed literary analysis. The novel offers a critical perspective on systemic inequalities in contemporary Indian society, as experienced by the protagonist, Sapna Sinha. It explores how caste hierarchies, child labour, corruption, organ trafficking, and patriarchal oppression continue to marginalise vast sections of the population. Drawing on both textual evidence and theoretical frameworks, the paper argues that Swarup’s narrative not only exposes these injustices but also advocates for a more humane and equitable model of development.