In the Constitution of India, abolition of untouchability is specifically included under which group of Fundamental Rights?

Introduction / Context:
Abolition of untouchability is one of the most important social justice measures embedded in the Constitution of India. It reflects the commitment of the framers to remove caste based discrimination and promote equality in society. This question asks you to identify under which broad heading of Fundamental Rights the constitutional provision abolishing untouchability has been placed, testing your knowledge of how rights are grouped in Part III of the Constitution.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The provision abolishing untouchability is contained in Article 17 of the Constitution.
Article 17 is located within a specific group of Fundamental Rights dealing with equality.
The options list Right to Liberty and Personal Freedom, Right to Freedom of Religion, Right to Equality and Cultural and Educational Rights.

Concept / Approach:
Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Constitution are organised into thematic groups. Articles 14 to 18 are grouped under the heading Right to Equality. Article 17, which abolishes untouchability and makes its practice in any form an offence punishable by law, is part of this group. Right to Liberty and Personal Freedom is primarily associated with Article 21 and related freedoms, Right to Freedom of Religion covers Articles 25 to 28, and Cultural and Educational Rights cover Articles 29 and 30. Therefore, the correct approach is to associate abolition of untouchability with the Right to Equality group.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Right to Equality is covered by Articles 14 to 18. These include equality before law, prohibition of discrimination, equality of opportunity in public employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles. Step 2: Article 17 specifically declares that untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. It also provides that enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability is an offence. Step 3: The heading under which Article 17 appears is Right to Equality, indicating that abolition of untouchability is considered a matter of equality rather than religion, culture or personal liberty alone. Step 4: Right to Liberty and Personal Freedom is associated mainly with Article 21 and related protections, not with the specific abolition of untouchability. Step 5: Right to Freedom of Religion deals with freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice and propagate religion, not with abolishing caste based practices. Step 6: Cultural and Educational Rights protect minority culture, language and institutions under Articles 29 and 30, but they do not directly address untouchability. Step 7: Therefore, abolition of untouchability is included under the Right to Equality.

Verification / Alternative check:
Polity textbooks and chart summaries of Fundamental Rights always list Article 17 under the Right to Equality group. They often highlight that this right is both negative (forbidding a practice) and positive (requiring the state to take measures to prevent and punish untouchability). No standard reference places abolition of untouchability under any other rights group, confirming that Right to Equality is the correct classification.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Right to Liberty and Personal Freedom: While liberty is important, the specific constitutional attack on untouchability is framed as an equality issue, not merely as individual liberty. Right to Freedom of Religion: Article 25 allows the state to regulate or restrict secular activities associated with religion, but the explicit abolition of untouchability is not grouped here. Cultural and Educational Rights: These rights focus on protecting linguistic, religious and cultural minorities and their institutions. They do not deal directly with caste based discrimination like untouchability.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mistakenly associate abolition of untouchability with religion because caste practices often have religious overtones. Others confuse it with cultural rights due to its social nature. To avoid these errors, remember the article sequence: Articles 14 to 18 for equality, 19 to 22 for freedom, 23 to 24 for protection against exploitation, 25 to 28 for religious freedom and 29 to 30 for cultural and educational rights. Within that structure, Article 17 clearly belongs to the equality group.

Final Answer:
Abolition of untouchability is specifically included under the Fundamental Right of Right to Equality in the Constitution of India.