The California State Assembly has passed an anti-caste discrimination bill aimed at countering caste-based discrimination and reinforcing safeguards for marginalized communities within the state. The bill will now proceed to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature and approval, which would make California the first US state to include caste as a protected category within its anti-discrimination laws.

The bill's initiation was attributed to State Senator Aisha Wahab, who received support from various caste equity civil rights activists and organizations across the country. Senator Wahab expressed her gratitude to Assembly members who endorsed the bill in a tweet, underscoring the measure's role in combating long-standing discrimination.

The legislation involves amending California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, Education, and Housing codes by incorporating caste as a safeguarded category under the term "ancestry." Since its introduction earlier this year, the bill has advanced through legislative processes with bipartisan consensus from various labor and civil rights entities.

Thenmozhi Soundararajan, executive director of Equality Labs, hailed the Assembly vote as a substantial accomplishment and a significant step toward equity for caste-oppressed Californians. She emphasized the years of organized efforts by caste-oppressed individuals to combat violence and discrimination, and she called for Governor Newsom's endorsement of the bill to ensure comprehensive protections against discrimination.

However, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) conveyed their dissent, characterizing the bill as discriminatory and reflecting a historical pattern of unjust legislation that targeted minorities of color.

Pooja Ren from Hindus for Caste Equity emphasized the need for workplace and educational safety for Dalit generations, asserting the significance of protection from caste-based bullying and discrimination. She stressed that this protection would afford residents of California the human right to live free from caste discrimination.

California Democratic Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Amar Shergill, stressed the consensus among Democrats and Republicans within the state against any form of discrimination.

Tarina Mand from the South Asian Bar Association Civil Rights Taskforce, hailed the passage of the bill and highlighted its importance of dismantling deep-seated biases and promoting equity.

Dalit activist Deelip Mhaske hailed the adoption of the Caste Law in California as a groundbreaking testament with far-reaching implications, symbolizing the influence of the Indian diaspora's leadership and decisions even beyond the state's borders.

Image source: Indian Express