Article 15 of the Indian Constitution has been made to prohibit discrimination made on unreasonable grounds such as caste, religion, race, sex and place of birth. The State and its citizens cannot make discrimination based on these five grounds. The state and its citizens may be subject to serious consequences if found guilty of practicing discrimination.
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Government Acts to Implement Article 15
The government has come up with special schemes and acts to implement Article 15 of the Indian constitution in the country. These schemes aim to bar discrimination and uplift the backward and weaker sections of the society. Here is a look at some of these schemes:
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
As per this act, no one from the SC and ST community shall be discriminated. Also, no violence would be undertaken on them just because they are from this community.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
Article 15 encourages favourable distinction to empower the weaker section of the society and ensure equality in the society. Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was established to uplift and encourage people with physical and mental disabilities. It brought about special provisions for these people to improve their status in the society.
Hindu Succession Act, 1956
This act has especially been created to uplift the status of women in the Indian society. As per this act, discrimination against women that they had limited ownership of property was abolished. A uniform system of inheritance and succession was defined by way of this act.
After its enforcement, the Hindu women were given complete power to deal with the property they possessed. They got the right to keep it, dispose it or use it in any lawful manner. Males already enjoyed this privilege in our society.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013
Women often face sexual harassment at workplaces and are not even allowed to raise their voice against this injustice. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 was implemented to empower women and ensure a safer work environment for them.
This act encourages women to stand up against sexual harassment at workplace. They can very well go ahead and report such cases. Quick and stringent actions are taken against the perpetrators.
Likewise, many other acts have been put in place for the betterment of the weaker section. Several others have been proposed and may be implemented soon.
Consequences of Going against Article 15 of the Indian Constitution
If a person does not comply with the provisions mentioned in Article 15, he is liable for punishment as per the Indian law. The punishment is given based on the severity of the situation. For instance, a person who discriminates against people belonging to the Schedule Caste or Schedule Tribes can face imprisonment along with a considerable amount of fine.
Conclusion
Certain discriminations going on in the society since centuries are seriously unjust and even inhuman. These must be stopped immediately. The introduction of Article 15 in the Indian constitution has brought such discriminatory practices down; however, there is still a long way to go.
LONG ESSAY ON ARTICLE 15 (600 WORDS) – ESSAY 5
Introduction
Article 15 was introduced to diminish unfair discrimination that had been prevalent in the Indian society since centuries. The article is aimed at promoting a society where people enjoy equal rights and benefits and do not face discrimination on the grounds of sex, caste, religion, race or place of birth.
In order to promote equality, it is not only important to do away with the unjustified discriminatory practices but also make some special provisions to uplift the weaker and backward sections of the society. Article 15 allows the creation and implementation of such special provisions. It has given way to many acts and provisions to benefit these sections.
Initiatives to Educate People about Article 15
Going against Article 15 and practicing discrimination prohibited in it calls for stringent punishment under the Indian law. This is the reason why people must be made aware about what Article 15 states. Only when people know about it, will they take precaution and avoid indulging in such a practice. The government should take initiatives to make the general public aware about Article 15 as well as the consequences of going against it. Some possible initiatives to further this agenda can be as follows:
Awareness in Schools/ Colleges
It is essential to make the citizens aware about their rights, duties and the lawful practices that should be followed from an early age itself. The best way to do so is by acquainting them with the same in the school. Special classes should be held every few months to make the students aware about Article 15. Its importance should be stressed upon during such classes. The consequences of going against the same must also be discussed to sensitize the issue.
Children often do what they see at home and in the society. Since this discriminatory practice is still present in the society at various levels, it is common for children to learn and imbibe it.
Any student seen practicing discrimination based on the aforementioned five grounds in school must be punished. For instance, if a boy is seen bullying a girl or if students are caught mistreating their fellow students who belong to lower caste then they must be reprimanded then and there.
Awareness at Work Place
Just like schools, awareness programs to provide information about Article 15 must be conducted at workplaces as well. Employees must be given complete information about what this article is all about and why it is important to adhere to it.
The consequences of going against this constitutional law should also be explained in detail. Organizations must also formulate rules to punish anyone going against Article 15. This is a good way to discourage unjust discrimination.
Awareness in Villages and Backward Areas
In villages and backward areas, people are still gripped by the evil caste system. Besides, women are also being treated badly and haven’t attained an equal status as men. Discrimination on the basis of religion, race and place of birth is also quite common in such areas. The government must make special initiative to spread awareness about Article 15 in these areas. This will create fear among those practicing discrimination and empower those who have been a victim of the same.
Spreading Awareness about Article 15 via Bollywood
Recently, a Bollywood movie named Article 15 was released. The movie starring actor, Ayushmaan Khurana in the lead role showed how people are still discriminating based on caste, race, sex, religion and place of birth. It aimed to make people aware about the provisions of Article 15 and also to encourage them to raise voice against anyone practicing the same.
Bollywood is a great means to reach out to the general public. The movie strongly condemned unfair discrimination and inspired people to stop indulging in the same as well as accepting this behaviour.
Conclusion
Article 15 has been included in the Indian Constitution to create a better society. The government must take special initiatives to ensure it is implemented well. Article 15 holds the basic fundamental right of a democracy that is Right to equality. If the Right to Equality is infringed upon, then the whole concept of democracy gets lost.