Article -17 Utouchability

Article -17 Utouchability : It deals with the main problem of our country.It abolishes untouchability.It is also a part of discussion that with the word ‘untouchability’ the word Unapproachability should also be added in the article.But this suggestion was not accepted.

Article 17 declares that ‘ untouchability  ‘must be abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.Any enforcement arising out of untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

Article 35 read with Article 17 refers to the power of parliament to laws prescribing punishment for practicing untouchability.In the response of this parliament has enacted the Untouchability (offences) Act,1955 . But in 1976, it was made more stringent and was renamed the protection of civil Rrights act, 1955 .In P.U.D.R vs.Union of India AIR 1982 SC 1473 ,the Supreme Court held that the right given by Article 17 can be enforced against private individuals and it is the duty of the state to ensure that this right is not infringed.

Advocate vaishali Dua
B.a llb,LL.M