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MMU experts could change the equality bill

Academics advise on caste discrimination

Research and advice from two academics at the School of Law could result in changes to the equality bill currently going through Parliament and make caste discrimination illegal.

Such an amendment has not previously been added as it was claimed there was not enough evidence that caste discrimination existed in the UK.

An article by MMU’s Annapurna Waughray on the absence of caste discrimination protection and the need for further research, however, gave impetus to a study by activist group the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA) aimed at convincing the Government that it is an issue.

Successfully changed the law

The study, presented to MPs and Lords last week, was advised by Annapurna and by equality law expert Prof Stephen Whittle, himself a member of a minority group and successful in getting discrimination law changed in Britain.

Stephen shared with ACDA both his legal expertise and advice on collecting and collating evidence to best present the case.

Of the 300 people surveyed by ADCA almost three quarters (71%) identified themselves as members of the Dalit community, formerly known as Untouchables because of their low caste status.

Fifty-eight percent of those questioned said they had been discriminated against because of their caste, while 79% said they did not think the police would understand if they tried to report a caste-related "hate crime". One of the most commonly reported forms of discrimination is caste-related name-calling.

Government must reconsider

Annapurna, who has researched caste discrimination for a number of years, says: “There has been a refusal to accept that caste discrimination is in the public sphere as many people see it as a purely religious or cultural issue. But if discrimination takes place because of race, sex, age, religion or disability it’s covered by the law and that is what we are asking of caste discrimination.”

She continues: “A lot of information on caste discrimination has come from those who are not necessarily on the receiving end of discrimination, but there are always two sides to a story.

“ACDA’s study provides substantial new evidence and the Government needs to show it is taking the issue seriously by revisiting and reconsidering the law.”

Annapurna is now involved in drafting a potential clause to cover all areas of caste discrimination for Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs. Such an amendment could even impact in India, where caste discrimination is unlawful but which doesn’t yet have civil anti-discrimination legislation.

Published Wednesday, 18th November 2009