- What is it?:Abolition of Untouchability
- Provision: Article 17 abolishes ‘untouchability’ and forbids its practice in any form.
- Legal Backing
- In 1976, the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 has been comprehensively amended and renamed as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 to enlarge the scope and make penal provisions more stringent.
- The act defines civil right as any right accruing to a person by reason of the abolition of untouchability by Article 17 of the Constitution.
- Term Untouchability: The term ‘untouchability’ has not been defined either in the Constitution or in the Act.
- Stand of the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court held that the right under Article 17 is available against private individuals and it is the constitutional obligation of the State to take necessary action to ensure that this right is not violated.