The Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016
The Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016
This law regulates activities in the state of Maharashtra to prohibit social boycotts enforced by groups within communities, often known as caste panchayats. It defines social boycott as discrimination that blocks access to resources, denies religious practices, or imposes economic isolation to punish members. The legislation protects individuals and their families from physical or financial harm caused by these exclusionary acts. By criminalizing ostracism and providing a framework for intervention, the Act ensures fundamental rights and safety for vulnerable groups, stopping powerful community structures from abusing social pressure to control behavior.
- 1. Short title and extent.
- 2. Definitions.
- 3. Social boycott.
- 4. Prohibition of social boycott.
- 5. Punishment for social boycott.
- 6. Prohibition on assembling for imposing social boycott.
- 7. Punishment for aiding or abetting the offence.
- 8. Previous actions of social boycott to be void.
- 9. Victim to be heard on sentence.
- 10. Offences to be cognizable and bailable.
- 11. Compounding of offence.
- 12. Procedure to be followed upon receiving complaint.
- 13. Police officer to take action.
- 14. Power to prevent certain acts.
- 15. Social Boycott Prohibition Officer.
- 16. Functions of Social Boycott Prohibition Officer.
- 17. Compensation to victim.
- 18. Act not in derogation of any other law.
- 19. Framing charges under Indian Penal Code.
- 20. Repeals.
- 21. Power to make rules.
- 22. Power to remove difficulties.
PDF: pending for this language.