Q. Consider the following statements with reference to Article 17 of the Constitution of India:
1. It abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
2. It defines ‘untouchable’ as those people tainted by their birth into a caste system that deems them impure.
3. Constitution prescribes punishment for somebody practicing untouchability.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 17, Untouchability” is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The term ‘untouchability’ has not been defined either in the constitution nor in the protection civil rights act, 1955. However, Supreme court has defined it as a social practice among Hindu’s when a person solely on the basis of his/her birth looked down upon and discriminated wrongly.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The constitution does not provide the prescription of the punishment rather the Protection of Civil rights act, 1955 prescribes punishment for the practice of ‘untouchability’
| Important Tips Representation of people’s act 1951 also prescribes practice of ‘untouchability’ as a ground for the disqualification of a person from the election to the parliament or state legislature. |
