An Unexpected Battle Over Banning Caste Discrimination

New York Times Podcasts
New York Times Podcasts
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Published 2023-09-25
California is poised to become the first state to outlaw discrimination based on a person’s caste. The system of social stratification, which dates back thousands of years, has been outlawed in India and Nepal for decades.

Amy Qin, a correspondent who covers Asian American communities for The Times, explains why so many believe a prejudice that originated on the other side of the globe now requires legal protection in the U.S.  — and why so many are equally convinced that it would be a bad idea.

Guest: Amy Qin (www.nytimes.com/by/amy-qin), a national correspondent covering Asian American communities for The New York Times.


Background reading: 

• The bill, recently passed by the California State Legislature (www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/us/california-caste-dis…, has led to intense debate among South Asian immigrants.
• Meena Kotwal (www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/world/asia/india-caste-…, a Dalit journalist, started a news outlet focused on marginalized groups in India, hoping that telling their stories would help improve their lives.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily) Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
All Comments (7)
  • @lostindixie
    It was not stated, but my guess is that opposition to this antidiscrimination law is mostly by the Brahmins.
  • @rmnair90
    It will be interesting to know the views of Vivek Ramaswami, who is currently seeking the GOP nomination.
  • @roc7880
    the problem was caused by migration of skilled immigrants from India to California especially SV who carry with them the ideoplogy of caste. and imagine they openly discriminated against US born Americans with untouchable ancestors. the issue is not a personal relationship but people from India being allowed to use their corporate power against lower castes in the US. and guess how many people on the left denounced it? only a few. I am white and I also felt stressed sometimes in criticizing POC at work because I might have the racist label thown at me ASAP, so welcome to the club guys.
  • @BahujanResearch
    Dear California Governor please sign SB403 bill into Act ...ASAP...!!!
  • @Edo9River
    Please explAin what the complexity is if India has operated a caste system for thousands of years? If there is a dispute involving caste, just ask the average Indian lawyer or civil servant in India what the caste markers are used to determine the caste. What is so complex about that?
  • @wmacedo98
    What a waste of our money and time