Which Article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?
- (a)Article 14
- (b)Article 15
- (c)Article 17
- (d)Article 19
Correct — C, Article 17. Article 17 abolishes 'untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form; enforcing any disability arising from untouchability is made a punishable offence. It sits within the Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) — the same fundamental-rights cluster as Articles 14 and 15, but Article 17 is the specific provision naming and abolishing untouchability.
- (a)Article 14 — Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws generally — the broad equality guarantee, not the specific abolition of untouchability.
- (b)Article 15 — Article 15 prohibits State discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth — a general non-discrimination clause, distinct from Article 17's specific abolition of untouchability.
- (d)Article 19 — Article 19 guarantees the six freedoms (speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession) — unrelated to untouchability.
Article 17 sits inside the Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) and specifically abolishes 'untouchability' in any form, making its practice an offence punishable by law — given statutory teeth by the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and later the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It is one of the few Fundamental Rights enforceable against private individuals, not just the State.
Students often lump Articles 14, 15 and 17 together as 'equality provisions' without distinguishing their specific content — 14 is the general guarantee, 15 bars discrimination on listed grounds, and 17 is the standalone abolition of untouchability.
- Article 17 — abolishes 'untouchability'; its practice in any form is forbidden and made a punishable offence
- Part of the Right to Equality (Articles 14-18)
- Enforceable against private individuals, not just the State — unusual among Fundamental Rights
- Given statutory teeth by the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Confusing Article 17 (untouchability) with Article 15 (general non-discrimination) or Article 23 (traffic in human beings, forced labour)
- Assuming Article 17 is enforceable only against the State — it is one of the few Fundamental Rights enforceable against private individuals too
A direct article-number recall question (as here), or a 'consider the statements' question testing which Fundamental Right category untouchability protection falls under (Right to Equality vs Right against Exploitation).
Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?
- (a) Right against Exploitation
- (b) Right to Freedom
- (c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
- (d) Right to Equality
Answer(d) Right to Equality — because Article 17, which abolishes untouchability, is placed within Articles 14-18, the Right to Equality.
Same underlying fact — untouchability's abolition sits under Article 17 within the Right to Equality — tested there via the Fundamental Rights category framing.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which of the following Fundamental Rights is enforceable against private individuals, not just the State?
- (a)Article 14 — Equality before law
- (b)Article 17 — Abolition of untouchability
- (c)Article 19 — Freedom of speech
- (d)Article 21 — Protection of life and personal liberty
Answer(b) Article 17 — along with Articles 23 and 24, it binds private individuals directly, not just the State.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The statutory law enacted to give effect to the constitutional abolition of untouchability under Article 17 is the:
- (a)Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
- (b)Indian Penal Code, 1860
- (c)Representation of the People Act, 1951
- (d)Citizenship Act, 1955
Answer(a) Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 — enacted to enforce Article 17 by penalising untouchability-related offences.