Untouchability Offenses Act

The Untouchability Offenses Act, also known as the Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955), aims to eliminate discrimination against Dalits and other marginalized groups deemed "untouchables" in India. It criminalizes practices like excluding people from public spaces, denying access to temples, or forcing them into manual scavenging. The law seeks to promote equality and protect basic human rights by penalizing acts that perpetuate caste-based discrimination and social exclusion. Its enforcement is intended to foster social justice and integrate marginalized communities into mainstream society with dignity and equal opportunity.