Conscious effort to abandon untouchability
Answers
The issue of untouchability got attention mainly due to the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi. However, that was many years ago and sadly, even today the problem remains, though the seriousness of the issue has decreased manifold.
Due credit must be given to the government policies that have been formulated as well as the enforcement of the parts of the Constitution that make untouchability a legal offence. If anyone is found guilty of practicing untouchability, he can be punished by law. Government schemes have also tried to help the downtrodden community mix up well in the society. They have been offered reservation and quotas. Further, anyone marrying a partner from the reserved category gets cash benefits from the government. Awareness workshops are also conducted from time to time.
Despite all these efforts, there is a lot that can be done at the personal level. Any act of discrimination should be reported and condemned strongly. A conscious effort can be made to not discriminate them from other domestic helpers. One can participate in awareness workshops. The social media can be effectively used to spread the word.
In order to completely eradicate untouchability, individuals will have to work together with the government. Neither of the two can do the job on their own.
Continuous efforts has been done by our government to eradicate untouchability. These are as follows.
Legislative Measures to Eradicate Untouhability -
Article 17 of the Indian Constitution declares that the practice of untouchability is a serious offence and it is punishable also. The Parliament passed the The Untouchability Offences Act in 1955.It was later substituted by the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1976.
Protection of Civil Rights Act 1976.
1) Committing any kind of social injustice, such as denying access to any shop, restaurant, public hospital, educational institution or any place of public entertainment.
2) Refusal to sell goods or render services to a person on the grounds of untouchability is an offence, which is punishable with imprisonment for six months or a fine up to Rs. 500 or both.
3) Preventing a person, on the grounds of untouchability, from entering a place of worship and offering prayers, or from drinking water from public well or spring.
Constitutional Safeguards -
The Indian Constitution provides protection and safeguards for the untouchables by the way of general rights of citizenship. The object is to promote their socio-economic interests and remove their various disabilities they suffer from. The Indian Government has made provisions in our Constitution regarding removal of untouchability. These provisions are mentioned in the Article 15 (1), Article 15 (2), Article 16 (1), Article 16 (2), Article 16 (3), Article 17, Article 25, Article 29, Article 46, Article 164, Article 320 (1), Article 320 (2) Article 332, Article 335, Article 338 (1) and Article 340 (1).
In India there are several non-government bodies which are engaged in in the task of removing untouchability from India. The most remarkable organisations are Depressed Classes Union, Harijan Sewak Sangh, Scheduled Caste Federation etc.