CASTE SYSTEM: THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

 

CASTE SYSTEM: THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS 

Article 46 of the Constitution of India provides: "The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation." In view of this constitutional obligation, several provisions have been provided; such as the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes in the State Assemblies and Panchayati Raj institutions, Parliament, and reservation of jobs at various levels.

Article 17 declares: "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 pursuance of these constitutional provisions, several programmes have been undertaken for the welfare of the scheduled castes. 

The question is: How close to equality are
scheduled castes? 

Compared to caste Hindus, the Scheduled Castes are still far behind in regard to landholding, and in economic and social mobility. Urbanisation and education are much less among them. 

Their per capita income is also low. Only a few of the posts in the administration reserved for the scheduled castes are actually filled. The same is true in regard to completion of education even up to secondary level.