Juggut Singh, often called Jugga, is a physically imposing local Sikh who carries the stigma of his father's criminal history. He faces constant suspicion from authorities and remains on strict probation, yet he acts primarily out of fierce loyalty rather than malice. Though functionally illiterate, he possesses a strong desire to improve himself when exposed to educated individuals.

Iqbal is a foreign-educated social worker sent by the People's Party of India to organize rural agricultural workers. Secretly an atheist, he uses a Sikh surname to blend in with the local population. He reads English newspapers in his jail cell and expresses frequent frustration over the deep-rooted class divisions and political indifference he encounters in the countryside.

Mr. Hukum Chand is the district magistrate and deputy commissioner overseeing the region's bureaucratic administration. He stays at the government rest house, drinks heavily, and issues legally questionable orders to maintain control over the local population. Behind his corrupt administrative exterior, he suffers from a lifelong obsession with death and carries deep grief over losing a child.

Meet Singh is the caretaker and priest of the local Sikh temple who welcomes travelers with immediate hospitality. Though lacking formal theological training, he commands authority through practical kindness and a steadfast belief in village unity. He firmly opposes incoming militant rhetoric, insisting on the shared humanity of his lifelong neighbors.

Malli is a violent dacoit (bandit) who targets the village's wealthiest residents. He opportunistically aligns himself with shifting political forces to escape legal consequences for his brutal home invasions, enthusiastically claiming the abandoned property of exiled villagers.

The Boy is a heavily armed, radicalized youth who arrives to recruit local men for a militia. He delivers aggressive speeches focused entirely on violent retaliation, openly mocking the peaceful interpretations of faith offered by the village elders.

Imam Baksh is the elderly, mostly blind leader of Mano Majra's Muslim residents. He relies on village donations for survival after losing his wife and son, yet he retains immense traditional authority. He takes a practical approach to the encroaching crisis, prioritizing the physical safety of his community above property or pride.

Nooran is a spirited weaver's daughter who routinely leaves her home at night to maintain a forbidden cross-cultural romance. She recognizes the mounting danger of her village's shifting demographics and fears the strict, traditional retaliation of her father if her secrets are discovered.

Haseena is a sixteen-year-old Muslim singer and prostitute traveling under the strict management of her grandmother. She performs for local government officials, using her youth and musical talent to survive a highly unequal power dynamic.

The Subinspector is a local police officer who initially focuses on solving a violent robbery at the moneylender's house. As higher authorities issue increasingly corrupt commands, he efficiently executes arrests without proper warrants, demonstrating how bureaucratic pressure overrides individual morality.

Lala Ram Lal is the village's only Hindu resident and the local moneylender. He lives in a brick building and keeps a secure safe, making him the primary target for a deadly nighttime robbery.

Banta Singh is the village lambradar, responsible for mediating between the rural residents and visiting military personnel. He organizes local resources like wood and kerosene for emergency use while struggling to maintain order during rapid evacuations.

Jugga's Mother is an elderly widow managing a rural farm while constantly monitoring her son's legal probation. She resents the trouble her son's romantic entanglements bring to their household but provides crucial protection when authorities arrive.

Haseena's Grandmother is an older woman who manages her granddaughter's singing engagements and interactions with wealthy clients. She calculates social risks carefully to ensure their survival in hostile environments.