In a significant leap towards upholding the principles of equality and justice, California is poised to become the first state in the United States to outlaw caste discrimination. This watershed moment comes as the state legislature voted to add caste as a protected category under “ancestry” in the California Civil Rights Act, education codes, and housing laws, ushering in a new era of social justice. All that remains is the signature of the state’s governor to cement this historic legislation into law.
For advocates and activists who have tirelessly fought against caste-based discrimination, the Assembly’s resounding vote is a cause for celebration. Tenmozhi Soundararajan, from Equality Labs, an organization dedicated to combating racial discrimination, exclaimed, “The Assembly vote is a victory for the ages!” This sentiment echoes the elation of many who have championed this long-overdue move towards social equity.
While this law carries profound implications for society at large, it holds particular significance for the tech industry, where a significant number of individuals of Indian and Southeast Asian descent are employed. Among these professionals are notable executives like Sundar Pichai of Google and Satya Nadella of Microsoft. However, it’s essential to recognize that these leaders belong to the highest Indian castes, such as the Brahmans and Kshatriyas, underscoring the need for this legislation to protect those who may be more vulnerable to caste discrimination.
The catalyst for the passage of this groundbreaking law was a scandal that shook the tech world earlier this year. At Cisco, two high-ranking executives, Sundar Iyer and Raman Kompell, were accused of discriminating against and harassing an employee based on their caste, specifically targeting an individual from the Dalit community, which occupies the lowest rungs of India’s caste system. It was this incident that galvanized California State Senator Aisha Wahab to champion the cause, ultimately leading to the bill’s passage.
However, it’s worth noting that the South Asian community remains divided on this issue. Advocacy groups like Hindus for Human Rights and Hindus for Caste Equity, supported by Equality Labs, argue that the law is essential to shield vulnerable members of the community from caste-based discrimination, particularly in education and the technology sector, where many hold influential positions. Human rights activists and other groups emphasize that caste discrimination extends to various South Asian communities and diasporas, often intersecting with religious factors.
On the other side of the spectrum, organizations like the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America oppose the policy. They assert that it could disproportionately target Hindus and Indian-Americans, commonly associated with the caste system.
Their argument hinges on the contention that caste already falls under “national origin,” rendering a distinct protected category redundant.
In the midst of these differing perspectives, what remains undeniably clear is that California’s bold move to address caste discrimination is a historic step towards creating a society that values the principles of equality, justice, and respect for all its residents, regardless of their background or heritage.
