Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?

Answer: D. The PROTECTION AGAINST UNTOUCHABILITY falls under the RIGHT TO EQUALITY. The RIGHT TO EQUALITY (PART III, ARTICLES 14-18) of the Constitution of India contains five articles that together secure formal and substantive equality: - ARTICLE 14: Equality before law and equal protection of the laws. - ARTICLE 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. - ARTICLE 16: Equality of opportunity in public employment. - ARTICLE 17: ABOLITION OF UNTOUCHABILITY — 'Untouchability' is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of 'untouchability' shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. - ARTICLE 18: Abolition of titles (other than military and academic distinctions). Article 17 directly addresses untouchability — a SOCIAL EVIL deeply entrenched in caste hierarchies — and outlaws it as a form of discrimination. The PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, 1955 (originally the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955) and the SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT, 1989 are the principal enabling statutes giving teeth to Article 17. Why other options are WRONG: (A) RIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITATION (Articles 23-24) — prohibits trafficking, forced labour, and child labour. Different domain from untouchability. (B) RIGHT TO FREEDOM (Articles 19-22) — six freedoms (speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession) plus protection in respect of conviction, life and liberty, and arrest. Does not address untouchability. (C) RIGHT TO CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES (Article 32) — gives the right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights; it is the REMEDIAL right, not the substantive anti-untouchability provision. Source: Constitution of India Article 17 / Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 / SC/ST (PoA) Act 1989.