The East Punjab (Removal of Religious and Social Disabilities) Act, 1948
The East Punjab (Removal of Religious and Social Disabilities) Act, 1948
This law prohibits social and religious discrimination against historically excluded castes and classes within Hindu and Sikh communities in the region. It guarantees these groups equal access to temples, gurdwaras, sacred water sources, public pathways, shops, public conveyances, and recreational facilities. Applying to public authorities, business owners, and religious trustees, the legislation forbids anyone from enforcing customary restrictions or denying entry based on caste. Courts and local authorities are barred from recognizing discriminatory traditions, and violators face fines or imprisonment. This Act matters because it legally protects civil rights, breaks down untouchability practices, and ensures fundamental social equality for marginalized citizens.
- 1. Short title and extent
- 2. Interpretation
- 3. Right of excluded classes to enter and offer worship in temple
- 4. Power of trustees to make regulations for the maintenance of order and decorum and the due performance of rites and ceremonies in temples
- 5. Sanction for institution or continuance of suits, prosecutions, etc.
- 6. Power to decide disputes
- 7. Other rights of excluded classes
- 8. Discrimination against excluded classes prohibited
- 11. Offences and penalties.
- 12. Penalty for previous conviction.
- 13. Offences to be cognizable.
- 9. No court shall recognise any custom or usage imposing any disability on any member of an excluded class on the ground that he is a member of such excluded class. No court to recognise any custom or usage imposing disability.
- 10. No local authority shall in carrying out the functions and duties entrusted to it under any law recognise any custom or usage imposing any disability on any member of an excluded class. Local authorities not to recognise any custom or usage imposing disability.
- 14. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act the Central Government, as the occasion requires may, by order, do anything which appears to them necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty. Power to remove difficulty.
- 15. The Central Government may make Rules, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. Rules.
PDF: pending for this language.