Seattle, Washington bans discrimination based on Indian caste system

APD NEWS

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The city of Seattle in the U.S. state of Washington has become the first city in the country to outlaw discrimination based on India’s caste system, an outdated division of people based on their descent.

Caste discrimination was banned in India in 1948, yet the eradication of a system with roots dating back 3,000 years did little to alleviate the prejudices against those at the bottom of the caste pyramid, known as Dalits.

Seattle is also the first city outside of South Asia to pass a law banning caste discrimination, which affects South Asian communities living in the United States.

The U.S. hosts the second largest population of Indians living abroad, with an estimated 2.7 million Indian residents counted in 2021, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute.

The Seattle City Council voted 6-1 in favor of the law on Tuesday, saying that without such laws, people facing caste discrimination in the U.S. will have no protections.Dalit groups say caste discrimination is prevalent in South Asian diaspora communities in the U.S., often taking the the form of social alienation, housing and education discrimination, and disadvantages in the tech sector, where South Asians hold key roles.

Some opposing the law worry businesses will be afraid to hire South Asians, while others are concerned the ordinance is targets Hindus.

(CGTN)