Saddam Hussain Character Analysis

A member of the Dalit caste and former security guard, Saddam Hussain is Anjum’s first permanent guest at Jannat Guest House and Funeral Services. Soon after Saddam moves in, the two become business partners—it is Saddam’s idea to officially offer funeral services at Jannat. Born Hindu, Saddam converts to Islam after his father is murdered by a mob for being suspected of killing a cow. Saddam comes to idolize his chosen namesake, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, for the grace with which he accepts his fate when he is hanged. (Saddam has the video of his idol’s hanging saved on his phone.) Determined to kill the police officer who turned his father over from custody to the mob, Saddam wants to be able to do what he feels he needs to do and accept whatever consequences he needs to for his actions. After being fired from a security guard job, Saddam makes his living exploiting the superstitions of the Hindu community by selling them false good luck charms. Eventually, Saddam falls in love with and marries Zainab, and the two live together in Jannat Guest House and Funeral Services, tending to the animals and the vegetable garden.