A historic ruling by a US Federal Court has determined that defending the civil rights of caste-oppressed people does not constitute religious infringement. This news follows the court’s dismissal of a lawsuit from Hindu American Foundation (HAF), which claimed that caste protections violate their religious freedom and constitutional protections. The court rejected this allegation, stating that HAF’s arguments were “entirely unpersuasive”. Caste equity and civil rights leaders alike are applauding the court’s decision, which reaffirms that the state of California is legally obligated to protect all of its citizens from caste-based discrimination and violence.
The ruling presents a major victory for caste-oppressed communities, communities who have long-suffered under this stringent system of social hierarchy. The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues states that “the term ‘caste’ refers to a strict hierarchical social system … in which individuals placed at the bottom of the system may face exclusion and discrimination in a wide range of areas.” While caste discrimination is strongly associated with South Asia, similar systems have also been found in Mexico, Africa, and Japan. This form of oppression also exists in the United States; data from Equality Labs found one in four caste-oppressed people have faced physical and verbal violence, one in three education discrimination, and two out of three workplace discrimination.
While the call for caste-oppressed civil rights continues to gain positive momentum, caste equity movements have received push-back and aggression from various opponents—namely those who feel that protections against caste-discrimination will reduce their dominion over marginalized populations. Caste protections, by nature, are anti-discriminatory and do not target any religious or cultural groups. People everywhere are coming together to rally in support of caste-oppressed civil rights, generating more momentum for international caste equity than ever before.
Below is a set of quotes from key supporters and advocates:
Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Equality Labs Executive Director and Author of The Trauma of Caste:
“As a Californian and a caste-oppressed woman, I am thrilled that my state continues to stand up in support of the rights of people like me. This welcome news affirms that our decades of Dalit feminist organizing has not gone unnoticed. It also comes on the heels of our recent one-of-a-kind campaign for California bill SB403. This ruling reminds me that California continues to lead the nation in civil rights and caste equity. Hopefully other states and municipalities will follow suit—and they should.”
Amar Shergill, Chair Emeritus, California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus:
“The state of California continues to affirm that discrimination against anyone on the basis of race, religion, or caste will be met with legal consequences. We are taking the lead in the historic battle for caste equity. This move by a US Federal Court helps caste-oppressed people feel safe coming forward with reports of discrimination.”
Maya Kamble, President of Ambedkar Association of North America:
“It is such a relief to witness the state of California saying what we have said for decades: that caste discrimination cannot be excused under the guise of religion.”