Seattle Becomes First US City to Ban Caste Discrimination

The Seattle City Council on Tuesday added caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws, becoming the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination and the first in the world to pass such a law outside South Asia.

Calls to outlaw discrimination based on caste, a division of people based on birth or descent, have grown louder among South Asian diaspora communities in the United States. But the movement has been getting pushback from some Hindu Americans who argue that such legislation maligns a specific community.

Tensions within the community were visible at Seattle City Hall on Tuesday as a noisy hearing culminated with a 6-1 vote with a majority of the council agreeing that caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries and that without such laws, those facing caste discrimination in the U.S. will have no protections.

The packed room, which overflowed with activists from both sides bearing banners, chanting slogans, challenging speakers and city officials as they made their comments, laid bare stark divisions over this issue within the South Asian diaspora. A majority of those present in council chambers were supporters of the ordinance and those opposed were a vocal minority.

As council members voted in favor of the ordinance, the chamber erupted into cheers of “Jai Bhim,” which means “victory for Bhim” a rallying cry adopted by followers of B.R. Ambedkar, an Indian Dalit rights icon whose given name was Bhimrao. Dalit groups and their supporters say caste discrimination is prevalent in U.S. diaspora communities, manifesting itself in the form of social alienation and discrimination in housing, education and the tech sector where South Asians hold key roles.

Yogesh Mane, a Seattle resident who grew up as an untouchable in India, broke into tears as he heard the council's decision.

“I'm emotional because this is the first time such an ordinance has been passed anywhere in the world outside of South Asia,” he said. “It's a historic moment."

Thenmozhi Soundararajan, executive director of Oakland, California-based Equality Labs, whose advocacy work along with community partners continues to push caste discrimination laws forward, called the council vote “a culture war that has been won.”

“We got the support of over 200 organizations from Seattle and around the country,” she said. “It's a powerful message that Dalit people are not alone. The South Asian community has united to say we want to heal from the trauma of caste."

Council Member Kshama Sawant, a socialist and the only Indian American on the City Council, said the ordinance, which she proposed, does not single out one community, but it accounts for how caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries. Sawant said the council received over 4,000 emails in support of the ordinance.

“We've heard hundreds of gut-wrenching stories over the last few weeks showing us that caste discrimination is very real in Seattle,” she said.

Council Member Sara Nelson who cast the lone dissenting vote agreed with opponents calling the ordinance “a reckless, harmful solution to a problem for which we have no data or research.”

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[theabsolute]

Great, thank you america, thank you for acknowledging caste based discrimination

[devilhorrible]

🇺🇸 should not allow the slavery to come again that has been happening in India for the last 2000 years

[gurjeetsing]

And So-called upper caste casteist people were supporting casteism there, the big irony😢😢😢

[ravikanthero]

Great heroism ambedkarism
Good heart is bigger than anything

[shantanuwankhede]

If India bans discrimination :
Millions of people will be in jail 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[dyanaprajna]

If hindus are using the caste system to discriminate in public, we need laws against it. Im unaware of it actually happening, but that doesnt mean its not. But if its not happening, then this is a stupid and pointless waste. So, is public caste discrimination happening in the us, does anyone know?

[xjkqgxy]

Dear American  Hindus, don’t panic. Seattle City hasn't banned or abolished your caste. The city council is simply reminding you not to discriminate against others based on their caste. So feel free to continue your caste associations and WhatsApp groups without any concern!

[TheGreatQbert]

I didn't know they used the caste system there....

[cinefile]

caste discrimination among indian american is very big read about cisko case ofcourse american wont know about it. dominant caste people always know about it. most of the temple priest in america are from brahmin caste its their (upper caste) hegemony over power and resources is astonishing. when they come to usa they come with achaar and caste pride

[RyanSpringer]

From no caste system to still no caste system. What a reason to celebrate. 😆

[zeemc]

I honestly did not know, that it was a problem in the U.S. 😳 I thought that ONLY happened in Now if they would get rid of it in India, the power and growth potential would be mind blowing. 👍

[blank]

And how many of them are not even Hindus.

[Anonymous-kdyy]

Now better give reservation to lower caste people

[santoshgowda]

Holly shit it took this long even for American.... Hope India joins

[fanaticcoder]

Waiting for caste-based reservation NOW!!!

[RajeevKulageri]

Can't kids be given for adoption to a Christian family? Atleast kids will be free

[Lucifer-ddnr]

When will caste reservation be allowed? We want caste reservation. Jai bhim

[YenkammaNe]

Where and what are Telugu, Tamil, Gujju, Mallu associations/ groups in USA doing??
Why are they not supporting CoHNA and file a case against Seattle city council for passing Caste ordinance without real names, without real numbers, without real issues...
Equality Labs has fabricated this caste issue to demonize Hindus

[breaux]

Was this really necessary? I'm genuinely curious.

[sumanrajeev]

Excellent! Next stop: caste based reservation🎉🎉🎉 in government jobs and government aided schools and unis. Way to go, USA 🎉🎉🎉