One day, while on his usual rounds, Bakha meets a British social worker, Mr. Harrison, who tries to help him and educate him about his rights. Bakha also encounters a Hindu reformer, Panditji, who attempts to uplift the status of the untouchables. However, Bakha's experiences with both these individuals are bittersweet, and he ultimately realizes that the deep-seated prejudices against his caste are difficult to overcome.