California’s legislature has taken a pioneering step by approving a bill that seeks to ban caste discrimination, marking the first of its kind in the United States. The move aims to protect individuals of South Asian descent who have faced unjust treatment based on their caste.
The bill, which passed by an overwhelming 31-5 majority, has now reached the governor’s desk for final approval. If signed into law, California will become a flagbearer in addressing an issue deeply rooted in the caste system of India.
Democratic state senator Aisha Wahab sponsored this progressive legislation, emphasizing that it would include caste as a protected category within the state’s existing anti-discrimination laws, alongside gender, race, religion, and disability. This move underscores California’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all its residents, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background.
Earlier this year, Seattle set a precedent by becoming the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination, showcasing the growing awareness and recognition of the need to address this often-overlooked form of bias.
Let’s hope casteism goes extinct.
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