Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability-

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.

• In 1976, the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 has been comprehensively amended and renamed as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 to enlarge the scope and make penal provisions more stringent. The act defines civil right as any right accruing to a person by reason of the abolition of untouchability by Article 17 of the Constitution.
• A person convicted of the offence of ‘untouchability’ is disqualified for election to the Parliament or state legislature.
• In case State Of Karnataka Vs Appa Bala Ingale 1993 untouchability was defined as an act of pollution leading to defilement depriving a person from the full participation in the mainstream of the benefit of the society.