The legislation seeks to amend California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act by including caste as a protected category under the term “ancestry.”
Indian Americans gathered for a peaceful protest rally in Sacramento, the State Capital of California, to express their strong opposition to the anti-caste discrimination bill recently passed by the State Assembly. They argued that the bill was discriminatory and unfairly targeted Indians in general, with a particular impact on Hindus.
If California Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill into law, California would become the first state in the United States and the first jurisdiction outside India to prohibit discrimination based on caste. This legislation seeks to amend California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act by including caste as a protected category under the term “ancestry.”
The bill, known as SB403, was introduced by Senator Aisha Wahab, the first Muslim and Afghan-American woman elected to the state legislature, in February. Last week, it received overwhelming support in the California Senate, with a vote of 31-5 in favor of “Discrimination on the basis of ancestry.”
Samir Kalra, representing the Hindu American Foundation, emphasized their plea to Governor Newsom to veto SB403, asserting that doing so would demonstrate a commitment to rejecting discrimination against Indian Americans and preventing racial profiling of their community. He made these remarks before a gathering of Indian Americans in front of the State Capitol in Sacramento on September 9.
During the protest, attendees displayed posters and banners to make their message clear. Many of the protestors had traveled from various parts of the state to voice their concerns. They argued that signing the bill into law would result in discrimination against the Hindu community and, even more concerning, could lead to racial profiling.
The Hindu American Foundation has vowed to explore all available options to protect the rights of Hindu Californians and is planning to file a lawsuit against the bill.
The bill, known as SB403, was introduced by Senator Aisha Wahab, the first Muslim and Afghan-American woman elected to the state legislature, in February. Last week, it received overwhelming support in the California Senate, with a vote of 31-5 in favor of “Discrimination on the basis of ancestry.”
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