On 21st February, Seattle became the first US city to ban caste-based discrimination after a vote by the local council.
Key points
- The Seattle City Council added caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws by a 6-1 vote.
- Proponents of this law say caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries and that without such laws, those facing caste discrimination in the U.S. will have no protections.
- They argue it is needed because caste is not covered under existing civil rights protections.
- Groups opposing the measure say it will malign a community that is already the target of prejudice.
- Groups such as the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America say it unnecessarily singles-out a community already vulnerable to discrimination in the U.S.
- However, Seattle City Council Member Kshama Sawant, 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.
