Civil Rights Protection Act 1955

The Protection of civil Rights Act, 1955 (No. 22 of 1955)

The practice of untouchability in Society/”>Indian Society is an attribute of the hierarchical stratification of society into castes. On the one hand, the Vedic use the term “varna” (colour) to denote caste seems to indicate that the caste system began as a result of racial differences between people. On the other, the characteristic feature of the caste system is also its categorisation of the pure and the impure based on religious beliefs and division of labour. While many authors argue that the concept of an untouchable caste did not exist in the initial stages of the caste system, at some point in history, the concept of untouchability did become “a historical cohort of the caste system, but not its essence.”

Numerous policies and laws have been made over the years to tackle the issue of untouchability. This Study attempts at studying one legislative attempt in this regard, viz., The Protection Of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (PCRA). The basic difficulties of studying and improving the use of law as a tool of directed Social Change results from the fact that law by itself is the only component of a large set of policy instruments and usually cannot and is not used by itself. This caveat should be kept in mind while dealing with the problem of untouchability. The recommendations and suggestions made in this Study are solely in Light of the problems faced in the provisions and implementation of the PCRA. These recommendations will have little effect if implemented in isolation, and without the backing of other policy measures.

The following Acts are punishable under Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955:

Disability to practice Religion: Anyone who stops any person on ground of Untouchability in any of the following ways:

To enter into the place of worship where any other person of the same religion is allowed
To worship, to offer prayers or to perform any religious ceremony or offer any religious service or bath at worship place or to use water from the sacred tank, spring well or from any other source, in the same manner as any other person of same religion is allowed to do.

Such person shall be punished with the imprisonment for the term of atleast one month but not exceeding 6 months along with the fine of atleast 100 Rs. but not more than Rs. 500.

Social Disabilities: Whoever discriminates any person on the ground of Untouchability in any way such as:

Access to shop, hotel, restaurant, place of public entertainment ;
Use of utensil which are provided in the hotels, dharamshala or any other public place for the use of general public or for a specific class of people;
To practice any profession or carry out any of the occupation, business or trade;
The use of water from spring well, tank, river, stream, water taps or any water place, or stops using bathing ghat, sanitary convenience, burial or cremation ground, road, passage or other thing meant for general public.

Such person shall be punished with the imprisonment for the term of atleast one month but not exceeding 6 months along with the fine of atleast 100 Rs. but not more than Rs. 500.

Refusing Admission: Whoever on the ground of Untouchability denies a person admission or discriminates the person after admission in the following places: Hospital, Educational Institution, Hostel or any other public places.

Such person Shall be punished with the imprisonment for the term of atleast one month but not exceeding 6 months along with the fine of atleast 100 Rs. but not more than Rs. 500.

Refusing to sell goods or render service: Whoever on the ground of Untouchability refuses or discriminates a person in selling goods or in rendering Services with the same terms and conditions in which they rendered to the general public in the ordinary course of business.

Such person Shall be punished with the imprisonment for the term of atleast one month but not exceeding 6 months along with the fine of atleast 100 Rs. but not more than Rs. 500.

Compulsory Labour : Whoever compels any person to Sweep, scavenge, or to remove any carcass or to flay any animal or to remove the umbilical cord or to do any other job of a similar nature.

Such person shall be deemed to have practice “Untouchability” and shall be punished with the imprisonment for the term of atleast three months but not exceeding 6 months along with the fine of atleast 100 Rs. but not more than Rs. 500.

Other Offences : Such person shall be punishable under law who does any of the following:

Prevents any person from acquiring rights provided under Art 17 of the Constitution of India; or,
Molests, insults, boycotts30 or create an obstruction in exercising the right; or
Molests, insults, boycotts any person who has exercised his rights; or
By any manner, spoken or written encourages or incites31 any person to practice “Untouchability”; or
Insults or attempts to insult any person on the ground of “Untouchability”

Such person shall be punished with the imprisonment for the term of atleast one month but not exceeding 6 months along with the fine of atleast 100 Rs. but not more than Rs. 500.

Offences done by Company: If any person who on the behalf of the Company has practiced “Untouchability”; or ii. If the Director, Manager, Secretary or any other official of the Company would have practiced “Untouchability”.

Such person may be Director, Manager, Secretary or any other Official of the Company shall be deemed to be guilty on behalf of the Company and shall be prosecuted for the offence.

The Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 was a United States federal law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations. It was passed by the 84th United States Congress and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 2, 1957.

The law was a major step forward in the fight for civil rights in the United States. It was the first federal law to prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, and it helped to pave the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 was a landmark piece of legislation that helped to end segregation and discrimination in the United States. It is a testament to the power of the American people to come together and fight for Equality.

The following are the subtopics of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955:

Title I: Establishment of Civil Rights Commission
Title II: Desegregation of Public Accommodations
Title III: Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department
Title IV: Injunctive Relief Against Discrimination in Public Education
Title V: Enforcement Provisions
Title VI: Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs
Title VII: Equal EMPLOYMENT Opportunity
Title VIII: Civil Rights Commission
Title IX: Civil Rights Commission
Title X: Effective Date

Title I: Establishment of Civil Rights Commission

Title I of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 established the Civil Rights Commission. The Commission was charged with investigating and reporting on civil rights violations, and with recommending ways to improve the enforcement of civil rights laws.

Title II: Desegregation of Public Accommodations

Title II of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 prohibited discrimination in public accommodations, such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. The law made it illegal to deny service to someone based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Title III: Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department

Title III of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 created the Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department. The Section was charged with enforcing the civil rights laws of the United States.

Title IV: Injunctive Relief Against Discrimination in Public Education

Title IV of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 authorized the federal government to bring injunctive relief against discrimination in public education. The law made it possible for the federal government to sue school districts that were discriminating against students based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Title V: Enforcement Provisions

Title V of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 provided for the enforcement of the civil rights laws of the United States. The law authorized the federal government to bring civil suits against individuals and organizations that were violating the civil rights laws.

Title VI: Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs

Title VI of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 prohibited discrimination in federally assisted programs. The law made it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in any program that received federal funding.

Title VII: Equal Employment Opportunity

Title VII of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 prohibited discrimination in employment. The law made it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in hiring, firing, compensation, or any other term or condition of employment.

Title VIII: Civil Rights Commission

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 extended the life of the Civil Rights Commission. The Commission was originally established for a two-year term, but Title VIII extended the Commission’s term for an additional four years.

Title IX: Civil Rights Commission

Title IX of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 authorized the Civil Rights Commission to investigate and report on civil rights violations in the District of Columbia.

Title X: Effective Date

Title X of the Civil Rights Protection Act of 1955 provided that the law would take effect on July 2, 1957.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964.
What are some of the key provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. It also prohibits discrimination in employment, education, and federally funded programs.
What impact did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 have?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 had a profound impact on American society. It helped to end segregation and discrimination in many areas of life. It also helped to pave the way for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which guaranteed the right to vote for all Americans.
Who were some of the key figures in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Some of the key figures in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 include President Lyndon B. Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks.
What are some of the criticisms of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Some of the criticisms of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 include the fact that it does not address discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It has also been criticized for being too broad and for infringing on individual rights.
What are some of the challenges that remain in the fight for civil rights?
Some of the challenges that remain in the fight for civil rights include discrimination against minorities, Women, and LGBTQ people. There is also a need to address issues such as police brutality and mass incarceration.
What can you do to help fight for civil rights?
There are many things you can do to help fight for civil rights. You can volunteer for a civil rights organization, donate to a civil rights cause, or simply educate yourself about the issue.

The Civil Rights Act of 1955 was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was the first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, and it had a profound impact on American society.

The act was passed by Congress on June 19, 1955, and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 2, 1955. It prohibited discrimination in public accommodations, such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. It also outlawed discrimination in employment, education, and voting.

The Civil Rights Act of 1955 was a major victory for the civil rights movement. It helped to break down the barriers of segregation and discrimination, and it paved the way for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Here are some multiple choice questions about the Civil Rights Act of 1955:

What was the Civil Rights Act of 1955?
(A) A law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
(B) A law that guaranteed equal rights for all Americans.
(C) A law that ended segregation in public schools.
(D) A law that gave African Americans the right to vote.
Who signed the Civil Rights Act of 1955 into law?
(A) President Harry S. Truman
(B) President Dwight D. Eisenhower
(C) President John F. Kennedy
(D) President Lyndon B. Johnson
What was the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1955?
(A) It helped to break down the barriers of segregation and discrimination.
(B) It paved the way for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
(C) It helped to end segregation in public schools.
(D) It gave African Americans the right to vote.
Which of the following was NOT a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1955?
(A) It prohibited discrimination in public accommodations.
(B) It outlawed discrimination in employment.
(C) It prohibited discrimination in education.
(D) It gave African Americans the right to vote.
The Civil Rights Act of 1955 was a major victory for the civil rights movement. True or False?

Answers:
1. (A)
2. (B)
3. (A)
4. (D)
5. True