Portrayal of Communal Harmony and Religious Discord in Never Together Never Apart

Authors

Keywords:

Communal Harmony, Religious Discord, Riots, Social Novel, Interfaith Love

Abstract

Aim: This paper aims to explore the portrayal of communal harmony and the underlying discord caused by religious differences in Professor Vikas Sharma’s novel Never Together Never Apart. It investigates how literature can act as a reflective medium for socio-political realities, particularly the dynamics of interfaith relationships and communal violence in contemporary India.

Methodology and Approaches: The study employs a close textual analysis of the novel, focusing on character development, narrative structure, and thematic depth. A qualitative approach is adopted, with the novel examined through the lens of cultural studies and postcolonial theory. Attention is given to historical and social contexts, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the author emerged as a voice of social concern.

Outcome: The analysis reveals that Never Together Never Apart is not merely a love story but a layered socio-political commentary that critiques the fragile nature of communal relationships in India. Through its characters and plot, the novel reflects how deeply religious prejudices can fracture human bonds while also offering glimpses of hope through moments of understanding and empathy.

Conclusion and Suggestions: The paper concludes that literature such as Sharma’s can play a vital role in promoting communal understanding by presenting humanized narratives of conflict and coexistence. It suggests that more literary works engaging with interfaith themes should be incorporated into academic discourse to broaden perspectives and foster social sensitivity.

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Author Biography

Poorvi Garg, Research Scholar, Department of English, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut

Poorvi Garg is a research scholar currently pursuing her Ph.D. under the guidance of leading Novelist, Poet and Academician Prof. Vikas Sharma at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. With two years of experience as an Assistant Professor, she has taught English language and literature, showcasing her expertise in the field. She has also contributed as a co-editor for Pratibimb, the annual magazine of the HLM Group of Institutions. Presently, she is serving as the member of Editorial team for HLM Journal of Applied Research. Her areas of interest are Indian literature, Linguistics, Communication Skills and Personality Development.

Published

01.07.2025

How to Cite

1.
Poorvi Garg. Portrayal of Communal Harmony and Religious Discord in Never Together Never Apart. SPL J. Literary Hermeneutics: Biannu. Int. J. Indep. Crit. Think [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1 [cited 2025 Jul. 23];5(2):1-10. Available from: https://literaryherm.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/251