Legal Framework and Consequences of Untouchability

Evidence 1 and Inference 1 are coherent. Without a statutory definition, courts (like the Mysore HC) look to the historical sociological context of the caste system. Evidence 2 and Inference 2 are contradictory. The Constitution does NOT prescribe the specific penal sentence; it leaves the prescription of punishment entirely to Parliament (via Article 35). The correct counterpart is the delegation of penal authority to Parliament. Evidence 3 and Inference 3 are coherent. Electoral disqualification is the exact, unyielding mechanism mandated by the RPA 1951 for this offense.

The Assertion is correct. Conviction acts as an absolute bar from serving as an MLA/MP. Reason (R1) is true and perfectly explains the assertion. The RPA 1951 enforces this severe political penalty to deter civil rights abuses. Reason (R2) is factually false. Article 17 is merely a declaration of abolition; it provides no schedules, no lists, and no definitions whatsoever. The correct counterpart is the constitutional silence on definitions.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The lack of a constitutional definition does not make convictions void; courts successfully use historical context to enforce the law. The correct counterpart is the judicial reliance on historical practices. Statement 2 is correct. It addresses both parts of the lawyer's flawed argument accurately, citing the RPA 1951 as the statutory hammer for the disqualification rule. Statement 3 is incorrect. The RPA 1951 heavily penalizes civil rights violations, specifically listing untouchability as a disqualifying crime.

Statement 1 is incorrect. It is NOT defined anywhere in the Constitution. The correct counterpart is the complete absence of a textual definition. Statement 2 is correct. This is the direct mandate and wording of Article 17. Statement 3 is correct. Parliament enacted this Act to operationalize the punishment clause of Article 17. Statement 4 is incorrect. Under the RPA 1951, they ARE explicitly disqualified from elections. The correct counterpart is the enforcement of electoral disqualification. Thus, exactly two statements are correct.