The California State Senate made history on Thursday by voting to ban discrimination based on caste.

 

This move provides legal options for people who face bias and discrimination based on their caste in housing, jobs, schools, and other public places. With a vote of 34/1, California became the first state in the United States to include caste as a protected category in its anti-discrimination laws.

The bill, known as SB 403, was proposed by California Senator Aisha Wahab and amends the Unruh Civil Rights Act. This law asserts that everyone in California has the right to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all businesses. SB 403 adds “caste” to the list of protected groups.

Supporters of the bill, led by the nonprofit Equality Lab, have said that a similar bill is being introduced in the House of Representatives before the bill is sent to the governor to sign into law.

The inclusion of caste in anti-discrimination laws is a significant step towards ending discrimination in all its forms. Discrimination based on caste has been a persistent problem in some communities, including South Asian and Dalit communities. The passage of this bill marks an important milestone towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.  







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