Article 17 of the Indian Constitution: Abolishing Untouchability

The practice of untouchability is abolished by the Indian Constitution under the Article:

(A) 17

(B) 19

(C) 38

(D) 42

(Question asked in the year 2012 Paper-II Questions No-19 )  

Article 17 of the Indian Constitution states that "Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of Untouchability shall be an offense punishable in accordance with law."

The other articles you have mentioned are not related to the abolition of untouchability. Article 19 guarantees certain fundamental rights to the citizens of India, including the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to form associations. Article 38 deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are guidelines for the government to follow in order to promote the welfare of the people. Article 42 deals with the right to work, education, and public assistance in certain cases.

Here are the justifications for the answers:

• (A) Article 17: This article specifically mentions the abolition of untouchability. It states that untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. This article also makes it an offense punishable in accordance with law to enforce any disability arising out of untouchability.
• (B) Article 19: This article guarantees certain fundamental rights to the citizens of India, including the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to form associations. However, it does not specifically mention untouchability.
• (C) Article 38: This article deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are guidelines for the government to follow in order to promote the welfare of the people. One of the Directive Principles is to "remove social inequalities and the status of untouchability." However, this article does not specifically abolish untouchability.
• (D) Article 42: This article deals with the right to work, education, and public assistance in certain cases. It does not specifically mention untouchability.

Therefore, the only article that specifically abolishes untouchability is Article 17. So the answer is (A).