The term 'Scheduled Caste' is enshrined in the Constitution of India.
The Constitution of India does not define Scheduled Castes, but according to Article 341 of the Constitution of India, the President of India may include certain castes or species or parts or assemblies of castes or species in the 'Schedule'.
Scheduled Castes are socially and economically backward groups.
Therefore, they are given special protection in the constitution.
The fundamental rights of citizens are provided for in various sections of Section 3 of the Constitution.
Some important provisions are as follows:
Article 14 of the Constitution gives every citizen the right to equality in terms of law.
Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits social or educational discrimination against any citizen on the basis of religion, caste, creed, sex or place of birth.
According to Article 16 of the Constitution, equality of opportunity is mandated in public appointments.
The section provides that state governments may reserve seats in public services for members of the Scheduled Castes.
According to Article 17 of the Constitution, untouchability towards Scheduled Castes in any form has been abolished.
This section criminalizes the practice of untouchability of any form and says to punish the offender according to the law.
Such an offender could face a jail sentence or a fine.
To promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections as per Article 46 of the Constitution.
In addition to the above basic provisions in the Constitution of India, the State Government has been requested to reserve seats in public jobs for the Scheduled Castes.
As per Article 70 of the Constitution, reserved seats have been reserved for him in the Lok Sabha and Article 332 in the State Legislative Assemblies with a view to maintaining his representation.
Only Scheduled Caste candidates can contest in such seats.
Apart from this, it has also been directed that the state governments should implement various programs for the social, economic and political welfare of the Scheduled Castes.
According to Article 3૩4 of the Constitution, politically reserved seats will end after forty years.
Article 335 of the Constitution sets out the rights and claims for the services and places of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The President of India may appoint a commission under Article 340 of the Constitution.
The commission may examine the plight of the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and recommend its abolition.
In addition, the Commission may be empowered to estimate the progress made by the weaker sections of the people due to the provisions of various articles of the Constitution.