MP urges ban on caste discrimination

The National Secular Society has supported an MP's call for caste discrimination to be outlawed.

Caste systems are rooted in religious and cultural beliefs, including in Hindu and Sikh communities. Research has found evidence of caste discrimination and harassment in employment, education and in the provision of services.

There are an estimated 50,000 – 200,000 people in the UK who are regarded by some as 'low caste' (sometimes known as 'dalits') and are at risk of caste discrimination.

Yesterday in Parliament, Labour MP for Wolverhampton West Warinder Juss, called for caste to be included in the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act protects people from discrimination and harassment based on 'protected characteristics', which include race, sex, and religion or belief.

Juss referred to an instruction added under section 9(5) to the Equality Act 2010 in 2013, which requires the Government to outlaw caste discrimination. But instead of implementing this instruction, in 2018 the Conservative Government refused to explicitly recognise this form of discrimination. The decision was criticised by the NSS, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and other human rights organisations.

Juss asked if Leader of the House Lucy Powell MP agrees that caste discrimination "is as bad as discrimination based on colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origins". He also asked her to agree to "a debate in the House on the implementation of section 9(5) of the Equality Act, so that caste discrimination is specified as a form of race discrimination".

Powell replied caste discrimination "can be incredibly damaging and pernicious".

She added: "We take our obligations under the Equality Act very seriously indeed, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend gets an update on that".

Moves to prohibit caste discrimination have faced strong opposition from some religious groups. These include the Hindu Council UK, which in 2023 threatened Leicester Secular Society with police action after it hosted a talk critical of Hinduism's caste system.

Victims of caste discrimination "commend and welcome" comments

Juss's comments were welcomed by groups which campaign against caste discrimination.

Chair of Caste Watch UK Sat Pal Muman said: "We wish to thank Warinder Juss MP for raising this important question about caste discrimination in the UK.

"The previous Tory government held this legislation in abeyance after pressure from the right wing Hindu lobby. The victims of caste discrimination will commend and welcome this news for raising the subject in Parliament once again to provide them with legal protection."

Santosh Dass of the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance said: "By not implementing the law, the Government is continuing to fail victims of caste discrimination, employers, service providers and the education sector".

NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said: "We welcome Warinder Juss's call for caste to be included in the Equality Act, so all are protected from this insidious form of discrimination.

"We hope the Government takes the issue seriously and takes the necessary steps to outlaw caste discrimination."