California’s caste-discrimination bill SB 403 passes Judiciary Committee with an 8-0 vote

Protests, petitions, and meetings with lawmakers did not stop the California Senate Judiciary Committee to vote ‘Yes’ to SB 403: Discrimination on the Basis of Caste, which passed the committee with a resounding 8-0 vote on April 25. SB 403 or State Bill 403 is a piece of legislation introduced to make the state free of caste-based discrimination. If signed into law, California will become the first state in America to make caste bias illegal by adding it as a protected category in the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

Fremont Mayor Lily Mei issues proclamation condemning rise in Hinduphobia

The city of Fremont, California issued a proclamation condemning Hinduphobia and acknowledging a rise in hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents where Hindus have been targeted. In the proclamation, the city authorities noted the considerable social and economic contributions of Hindu Americans to Fremont and also thanked Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for offering community advocacy and education work over the past decade.

California rolls back caste-bias case partially, right-wing Hindus claim victory

California state has dropped its allegations of caste-based bias by two Indian-descent employees of IT giant Cisco but will continue the larger case against the company. California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing had filed this case in 2020 based on a complaint from an unidentified employee of the company making it the first case of caste-based discrimination reported in the US.