The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (Act No. 22 of 1955). Country/Territory India Document type Legislation Date 1955 (1976) Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to prescribe punishment for the preaching and practice of “Untouchability” for the enforcement of any disability arising therefrom and for matters connected therewith. Subject Water, General Keyword Offences/penalties Social protection Right to water Human rights Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, Indian Ocean, South Asian Seas, Southern Asia Abstract This Act, originally known as the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, punishes anyone who enforces religious or social disabilities by prevent a person from entering any place of public worship or using the waters of any sacred tank, well, spring, water-course, river or lake or disables a person from activities mentioned in the Act, on the ground of untouchability. The Act makes unlawful compulsory labour deemed to be a practice of untouchability in certain cases like scavenging, sweeping or removing any carcass or to flay any animal. The Court may cancel or suspend the licence of a person convicted for refusing to sell goods or render services on the grounds of untouchability. A public servant who wilfully neglects the investigation of any offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to have abetted an offence punishable under this Act. For offences committed by a body corporate i.e. firm, company or association of individuals, every person in charge at the time the offence was committed shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence. Full text English Website www.indiacode.nic.in