What is the object of Article 17 of the Indian Constitution?

The main object of Article 17 is to ban the practice of untouchability in any form. To give effect to Article 17, Parliament enacted the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, prescribing punishments for practicing untouchability in various forms. In State of Karnataka v. Appa Balu Ingale it was held that “the abolition of untouchability is the arch of the Constitution to make its preamble meaningful and to integrate the Dalits in the national mainstream”.