In a monumental stride toward equality and social justice, California is set to become the first state in the United States to ban caste discrimination. This groundbreaking move will see caste added as a protected category under “ancestry” in the California Civil Rights Act, education codes, and housing regulations. The stage is set, and all that remains is the signature of the state governor to etch this historic change into law.
This monumental achievement marks a watershed moment in the fight against discrimination. It’s a victory celebrated not only by the communities it directly impacts but also by advocates for equality across the nation. Tenmozhi Soundararajan of Equality Labs, an organization at the forefront of battling racial discrimination, succinctly captures the essence of this triumph: “The Assembly vote is a victory for the ages!”
This law holds profound significance, particularly for the tech industry, which boasts a significant workforce of Indian and Southeast Asian descent. It’s worth noting that this includes prominent figures in the executive echelons of tech giants; Sundar Pichai at the helm of Google and Satya Nadella leading Microsoft, to name a few. However, an important nuance surfaces when delving into this issue, as these leaders often hail from the highest echelons of the Indian caste system, such as Brahmans and Kshatriyas.
The driving force behind the passage of this historic legislation was the alarming scandal that unfolded at Cisco earlier this year. Two senior executives, Sundar Iyer and Raman Kompell, were accused of discriminating against and harassing an employee solely based on their caste background. The victim belonged to the Dalit community, a group that occupies the lowest rung of the caste hierarchy in India. Outraged by this injustice, California State Senator Aisha Wahab took up the cause, introducing the bill that eventually found success in the Assembly vote.
However, it’s important to recognize that the South Asian community itself is divided on this issue. Some groups, including Hindus for Human Rights and Hindus for Caste Equity, with support from Equality Labs, argue that it is imperative to safeguard vulnerable members of the community from caste-based discrimination, especially in education and the tech sector where they hold influential positions.
Conversely, human rights activists and other groups contend that caste discrimination is prevalent across various South Asian communities and diasporas under the guise of religion. They assert that the protection of a separate category is necessary to root out this deeply entrenched issue.
On the opposing side of this debate, organizations such as the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America argue that such a policy could inadvertently target Hindus and Indian-Americans, associating them exclusively with the caste system. They argue that caste can be encompassed within “national origin,” rendering a separate protected category redundant and potentially divisive.
As California inches closer to enshrining this ban into law, the profound implications of this legislation resonate far beyond its borders. It symbolizes a resolute commitment to eradicating discrimination and upholding the principles of equality and justice for all.
