Question

What are the polices that the government has launched to abandon untouchability

Answer 1

One of the most important aspects of the constructive program of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of Sarvodya was to eradicate the untouchability. 

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