ANTI-UNTOUCHABILITY LAW IN RURAL INDIA: SOCIAL IMPACT AND STRATEGIES FOR FURTHER REFORM

AUTHOR – BHARTIA PRATIBHA INDRAPAL, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY, MUMBAI

BEST CITATION – BHARTIA PRATIBHA INDRAPAL, ANTI-UNTOUCHABILITY LAW IN RURAL INDIA: SOCIAL IMPACT AND STRATEGIES FOR FURTHER REFORM, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (9) OF 2025, PG. 247-259, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

This article is published in the collaborated special issue of Amity Law School, Amity University, Mumbai and the Institute of Legal Education (ILE), titled “Emerging Trends in Law: Exploring Recent Developments and Reforms” (ISBN: 978-81-986345-1-1).

Abstract

One major stride towards the abolition of caste-based discrimination was the Anti-Untouchability Law, which was enacted under the Untouchability Offences Act (1955). The law aimed to eliminate untouchability practices and promote equality, which was inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief author of the Indian Constitution and a passionate advocate for Dalit rights. However, due to deep-rooted caste stereotypes, untouchability still prevails, especially in rural areas.

There were four major groups in Indian society, which included Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The Shudras were considered “untouchables,” and they were the lowest group. These people were subjected to strict political, religious, social, and economic restrictions. Since they were considered polluting to the upper castes, they were often assigned “impure” jobs such as manual labour and rubbish disposal.

They were excluded from access to community gatherings, public water supplies, and temples. Millions were deeply affected by such a system of caste-based social separation. This system of untouchability is, to this day, a serious problem in rural India despite constitutional prohibitions.

The weak enforcement of laws such as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, continues to hinder progress in the fight against caste violence and untouchability.

This would mean the education of all children, including the children from the upper-caste family. The environment and family values of children make a huge difference in their lives, especially if they are born and brought up in rural settings. Education of respect, equality, and the destructive power of discrimination would help us to build an egalitarian society that would, in turn, assist future generations to reject the prejudice of caste-based discrimination. Such education can remove outmoded ideas and usher in societal progress.

The ongoing practice of untouchability in rural India will be examined in this research paper, along with its causes, effects, and necessary measures to eradicate it.