Question

social evil of untouchability is deeply rooted in indian society,although it is constitutionally abolished.Explain this statement with relevant examples

Answer 1

Untouchability means secluding the deprived classes. It is a social evil because by practicing untouchability backward classes are deprived of the same rights which the other classes enjoy. Though Indian constitution prohibits untouchability but still it is practiced in many regions.  

Mahatma Gandhi declared that swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated. He called the ‘untouchables’ harijan, or the children of God, organised satyagraha to secure them entry into temples, and access to public wells, tanks, roads and schools. He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the bhangi (the sweepers), and persuaded upper castes to change their heart and give up ‘the sin of untouchability’.  

However, in India, Untouchability is based on the caste system.

• In the articles 15, 16 and 17,  the Government clearly expresses that all citizens will be treated equally and no discrimination will be made among them.  

• The Directive Principles of the State Policy has abolition of untouchability as one of the principles.

• The Article 335 also grants the government the authority to reserve seats for the SCs and STs for government seats in the union and the states.

• According to Article 338, the President appoints one special officer for the SCs and STs.

Untouchability still exists in various forms in the Indian society among the Hindus.This include -

1 . Denial access to public places like temples, bathing ghats, water wells etc.

2 . Restrictions are imposed on marriage with other castes.

3 . Separate glasses for Dalits in village stalls.

4 . Separate seating arrangements i schools and other village functions.

5 . The have a separate burial grounds segregated from the others etc.

Answer 2

 Social evil of untouchability is deeply rooted in Indian society, although it is constitutionally abolished.

They are known as Dalit community and according to the Act, 1989 - Scheduled Caste and Schedules Tribes (Prevention of Attrocities), all discrenimation should be avoided in the case of Dalits.

This Act did the inclusion of Untouchable or Dalits into the mainstream Indian society.