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| What is Article 17 of indian constitution |
Article 17 – Abolition of Untouchability
Introduction
Imagine living in a country where you can’t enter a temple,
drink from a public well, or even walk on the same street as others — not
because of what you did, but simply because you were born into a certain caste.
This was the harsh reality for millions in India before independence.
To end this centuries-old social evil, the Constitution
makers included Article 17, which abolishes “untouchability” and
forbids its practice in any form. It is one of the most powerful
declarations of social equality in the Indian Constitution.
Text of Article 17
"Untouchability" is abolished and its practice in
any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of
"Untouchability" shall be an offence punishable in accordance with
law.
Meaning of Untouchability
In this Article, untouchability does not refer
to physical untouchability (like avoiding germs), but to the social practice
rooted in caste discrimination — where certain castes (particularly Dalits,
then called “untouchables”) were denied access to public places, resources, and
opportunities.
Historical Background
- Before
independence – Caste-based discrimination was deeply
entrenched. Dalits were denied entry into temples, schools, shops, wells,
and even forced to live outside villages.
- Social
reform movements – Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi (Harijan
movement), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Dalit rights movement), Jyotirao
Phule, and Periyar E.V. Ramasamy fought tirelessly against
untouchability.
- Constituent
Assembly debates – Members agreed that abolition of
untouchability should be an absolute right, enforceable by law,
without any exceptions.
Enforcement by Law
To make Article 17 effective, Parliament enacted:
The Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955
- Later
amended and renamed The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
- Made
it a punishable offence to deny access to public places, shops, hotels,
religious sites, or educational institutions on the basis of caste.
- Punishment:
Imprisonment up to 6 months (later increased), fine, or both.
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Strengthened
protections by punishing caste-based violence, humiliation, and
discrimination.
- Special
courts set up for speedy trials.
Examples of Article 17 in Action
1. A Dalit
person being denied entry into a village temple – Punishable under Article
17 read with relevant laws.
2. Refusing to
serve food to someone in a public hotel because of caste – Illegal.
3. Preventing
a student from drinking water from a school tap due to caste – Violation of
Article 17.
Landmark Judgments
- State
of Karnataka vs Appa Balu Ingale (1993) – Supreme Court held
that untouchability in any form is unconstitutional, even if justified by
custom or tradition.
- People’s
Union for Democratic Rights vs Union of India (1982) –
Linked the abolition of untouchability to ensuring dignity and equality
for all citizens.
- Safai
Karamchari Andolan vs Union of India (2014) –
Court directed the complete eradication of manual scavenging, calling it a
modern form of untouchability.
Why Article 17 is Special
- It is absolute
– No citizen, state, or private person can justify untouchability under
any circumstances.
- It is self-executory
– No separate law is needed to enforce it, though laws exist to provide
punishment.
- It
reflects India’s commitment to social justice, not just legal
equality.
1. Article 17 abolishes:
A) Slavery
B) Untouchability
C) Child labour
D) Caste system entirely
Answer: B – Specifically abolishes untouchability.
2. Untouchability in Article 17 means:
A) Physical contact avoidance
B) Social discrimination based on caste
C) Avoiding germs
D) Political isolation
Answer: B – Refers to caste-based exclusion.
3. The Untouchability (Offences) Act was passed in:
A) 1949
B) 1955
C) 1976
D) 1989
Answer: B – To give effect to Article 17.
4. The Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 was renamed
as:
A) Civil Rights Act
B) Protection of Civil Rights Act
C) Social Justice Act
D) Equality Act
Answer: B – In 1976.
5. Article 17 is found in which part of the
Constitution?
A) Part II
B) Part III
C) Part IV
D) Part IVA
Answer: B – Fundamental Rights.
6. Article 17 came into force on:
A) 15 August 1947
B) 26 January 1950
C) 1 April 1951
D) 2 October 1950
Answer: B – Along with the Constitution.
7. The right under Article 17 is:
A) Absolute
B) Subject to reasonable restrictions
C) Optional
D) Only for Scheduled Castes
Answer: A – No exceptions are allowed.
8. Article 17 binds:
A) Only the State
B) Only private individuals
C) Both State and individuals
D) Only government servants
Answer: C – Applies to everyone.
9. “Untouchability” is:
A) Defined in the Constitution
B) Not defined in the Constitution
C) Defined in IPC
D) Defined in Directive Principles
Answer: B – Defined judicially and in Acts.
10. Which leader called untouchability “a crime against
humanity”?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
D) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: C – Ambedkar used this phrase.
11. The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was passed
in:
A) 1976
B) 1989
C) 1995
D) 2000
Answer: B – To prevent caste atrocities.
12. Which case upheld that untouchability is
unconstitutional even if custom supports it?
A) Kesavananda Bharati Case
B) State of Karnataka vs Appa Balu Ingale
C) Indra Sawhney Case
D) Golaknath Case
Answer: B – 1993 judgment.
13. Who called Dalits “Harijans”?
A) Dr. Ambedkar
B) Mahatma Gandhi
C) Periyar
D) Jyotirao Phule
Answer: B – Means “children of God”.
14. Which Article prohibits begar (forced labour)?
A) 18
B) 21
C) 23
D) 25
Answer: C – Both 17 and 23 uphold dignity.
15. The Protection of Civil Rights Act prescribes
punishment up to:
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 1 year
D) 2 years
Answer: D – After amendments.
16. Manual scavenging is linked to Article 17 because:
A) Economic exploitation
B) Modern form of untouchability
C) Violation of freedom of speech
D) Religious offence
Answer: B – Based on caste discrimination.
17. Which case ordered eradication of manual scavenging?
A) Vishaka Case
B) Safai Karamchari Andolan Case
C) Indra Sawhney Case
D) Menaka Gandhi Case
Answer: B – 2014 Supreme Court.
18. Gandhi described untouchability as:
A) Necessary evil
B) Worse than slavery
C) A cultural practice
D) A moral duty
Answer: B – Considered it a grave sin.
19. The right under Article 17 is enforceable through:
A) Parliament only
B) High Court and Supreme Court writs
C) Panchayats
D) President’s order
Answer: B – Via writ jurisdiction.
20. Article 17 applies to:
A) Only Hindus
B) All citizens
C) Only Dalits
D) Only minorities
Answer: B – Regardless of religion.
21. Protection of Civil Rights Act deals with:
A) Economic offences
B) Untouchability offences
C) Political rights
D) Religious conversion
Answer: B – Directly enforces Article 17.
22. The punishment for preaching untouchability is under:
A) Article 19
B) Protection of Civil Rights Act
C) CrPC
D) Directive Principles
Answer: B – Punishable offence.
23. Which part of Constitution ensures equality before
law along with Article 17?
A) Article 14
B) Article 32
C) Article 51
D) Article 370
Answer: A – Equality principle.
24. Untouchability is rooted in:
A) Economic inequality
B) Caste system
C) Political rivalry
D) Religious freedom
Answer: B – Social hierarchy.
25. Which reformer strongly opposed temple entry
restrictions?
A) Periyar E.V. Ramasamy
B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Rajaji
D) Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: A – Led anti-caste movements.
26. The Article 17 right is:
A) Justiciable
B) Non-justiciable
C) Moral duty only
D) Cultural obligation
Answer: A – Enforceable in courts.
27. First state to pass a law against untouchability
before independence:
A) Madras Presidency
B) Bombay Presidency
C) Travancore
D) Mysore
Answer: C – Temple Entry Proclamation, 1936.
28. Who chaired the drafting committee that framed
Article 17?
A) Nehru
B) Ambedkar
C) Sardar Patel
D) Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
Answer: B – As Law Minister.
29. “Harijan Sevak Sangh” was founded by:
A) Ambedkar
B) Gandhi
C) Phule
D) Tagore
Answer: B – 1932 to work for Dalits.
30. Article 17 is an example of:
A) Positive liberty
B) Negative liberty
C) Directive Principle
D) Emergency provision
Answer: B – Removes restrictions imposed by others.
31. Which Article guarantees right to constitutional
remedies for violation of Article 17?
A) 14
B) 32
C) 226
D) Both B and C
Answer: D – Both SC and HC.
32. Untouchability is punishable as:
A) Civil wrong
B) Criminal offence
C) Moral wrong only
D) Religious sin only
Answer: B – With fines and imprisonment.
33. Which movement by Gandhi aimed at removing
untouchability?
A) Quit India
B) Salt Satyagraha
C) Harijan Movement
D) Khilafat Movement
Answer: C – 1933 onwards.
34. Article 17’s protection is available to:
A) Citizens only
B) Non-citizens only
C) Both citizens and non-citizens
D) Only residents of certain states
Answer: C – Fundamental rights for all persons in India.
35. The Constitution uses quotation marks for
“untouchability” because:
A) It is sarcastic
B) It refers to a specific social evil
C) It includes all meanings
D) It is foreign word
Answer: B – Only caste-based meaning.
36. The case linking dignity and abolition of
untouchability:
A) People’s Union for Democratic Rights vs Union of India
B) ADM Jabalpur Case
C) Kesavananda Bharati Case
D) Indra Sawhney Case
Answer: A – 1982.
37. Which Article abolishes titles except
military/academic?
A) 15
B) 16
C) 17
D) 18
Answer: D – Different from Article 17.
38. Can Parliament amend Article 17 to allow
untouchability?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in emergency
D) With President’s assent
Answer: B – Violates basic structure.
39. “Annihilation of Caste” is a work by:
A) Gandhi
B) Ambedkar
C) Periyar
D) Tagore
Answer: B – 1936 speech.
40. Untouchability practices in schools violate:
A) Article 14 only
B) Article 15 only
C) Article 17 and 21A
D) Article 19 only
Answer: C – Equality and education rights.
41. Public wells, tanks, roads must be open to all under:
A) Article 19
B) Article 21
C) Protection of Civil Rights Act
D) Directive Principles
Answer: C – Specific enforcement.
42. Which Article is directly related to Article 17 in
ensuring temple access?
A) 25
B) 28
C) 32
D) 51A
Answer: A – Freedom of religion for all.
43. Who said “Caste is not merely division of labour but
division of labourers”?
A) Ambedkar
B) Gandhi
C) Vivekananda
D) Tilak
Answer: A – Critique of caste system.
44. Untouchability is prohibited in:
A) Private employment
B) Public employment
C) Public places
D) All above
Answer: D – Across society.
45. The Civil Rights Act covers:
A) Political offences
B) Caste-based disabilities
C) Tax evasion
D) Religious conversions
Answer: B – Enforces Article 17.
46. Safai Karamchari Andolan case outcome:
A) Legalised manual scavenging
B) Banned manual scavenging
C) Introduced caste census
D) Abolished zamindari
Answer: B – Declared it unconstitutional.
47. Which freedom supports abolition of untouchability?
A) Freedom of movement
B) Freedom of profession
C) Freedom of residence
D) All above
Answer: D – Linked to social equality.
48. Violation of Article 17 can be challenged under:
A) PIL
B) Individual petition
C) Both
D) None
Answer: C – Both forms possible.
49. The word “Harijan” is now avoided because:
A) It is offensive to some
B) It is English
C) It is religious
D) It is political
Answer: A – Dalit rights groups prefer self-identification.
50. Article 17 embodies which ideal of the Preamble?
A) Liberty
B) Equality
C) Justice
D) Both B and C
Answer: D – Equality and justice.
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