Question

Obtain a copy of the Constitution of India. You can get it from your school library, from a bookshop, or from the Internet (web address: http:// indiacode.nic.in/). Find and list all the articles and sections (laws) that deal with the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, or with caste-related problems like Untouchability. You can make a chart of the most important laws and put them up in your class.

Answer 1

1. Social Safeguards & Anti-Discrimination:
   1. Article 17: Abolishes “Untouchability” completely and makes its practice a punishable offense.
   2. Article 15(1): Prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds of caste, race, religion, sex, or place of birth.
   3. Article 15(4): Empowers the State to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs.
2. Educational & Employment Safeguards:
   1. Article 15(5): Allows special provisions for admission to educational institutions (including private ones) for SCs and STs.
   2. Article 16(4): Enables the State to provide reservation of appointments or posts in public employment if they are underrepresented.
   3. Article 46: Directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly SCs and STs, and protect them from social injustice.
   4. Article 335: States that the claims of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration in making appointments to public services.
3. Political Representation:
   1. Article 330: Reserves seats for SCs and STs in the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
   2. Article 332: Reserves seats for SCs and STs in the State Legislative Assemblies.
   3. Article 243D & 243T: Mandates reservation of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities.
4. Institutional Safeguards & Special Laws:
   1. Article 338: Establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
   2. Article 338A: Establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
   3. Article 341 & 342: Empowers the President to specify which groups are classified as SCs and STs.
   4. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: Prescribes punishments for practicing untouchability.
   5. The SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: A vital law passed to prevent crimes and violence against SC and ST community members.