RAS question
Article 17 of the Constitution, which abolishes untouchability, falls under which category of Fundamental Rights?
Correct answer: (B) Right to Equality.
Article 17 of the Constitution of India abolishes untouchability and forms part of the Right to Equality among the Fundamental Rights.
Explanation
Articles 14 to 18 form the Right to Equality group. Article 17 appears after Article 16, which provides equality of opportunity in public employment, and before Article 18, which abolishes titles. Article 17 abolishes untouchability, forbids its practice in any form, and makes the enforcement of any disability arising from untouchability an offence punishable in accordance with law. Its constitutional placement and substance therefore put it under the Right to Equality, not the Right to Freedom, the Right against Exploitation, or Cultural and Educational Rights. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, earlier called the Untouchability Offences Act, was enacted to give effect to Article 17.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The Right against Exploitation is not the correct category because Article 17 belongs to the Articles 14-18 group under the Right to Equality, not to the provisions concerning exploitation.
- (C) The Right to Freedom is a separate group of Fundamental Rights. Article 17 is placed under the Right to Equality.
- (D) Cultural and Educational Rights do not include Article 17. The provision abolishing untouchability is part of the Right to Equality.
Concept
This question tests whether you can place Articles 14 to 18 under the Right to Equality within the Fundamental Rights and connect Article 17 with the law enacted to give it effect. RAS repeatedly asks article-to-right category mappings because they test knowledge of constitutional provisions as well as an understanding of the purpose of each rights group.