In India protection of Civil Rights has been ensured under the protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. This Act prescribes punishment for the preaching and practice of untouchability for the enforcement of any disability arising therefrom and for other connected matters. According to the provisions of the Act, ‘civil rights’ means any right accruing to a person by reason of the abolition of ‘untouchability’ by article 17 of the Constitution. This Act prescribes punishments for enforcing religious disabilities on the ground of untouchability, for instance, preventing any person from entering any place of public worship which is open to other persons professing the same religion or any section of the religion. The Central Government has been empowered under the Act to make rules for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act. The Act provides that subject to the rules formulated by the Central Government, the State Government shall take such measures as may be necessary for ensuring that the rights arising from the abolition of untouchability are made available to, and are availed of by, the persons subjected to any disability arising out of untouchability.
