Congratulations to Ambedkarites, others who stood with anti-caste bill in California

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*

The caste discrimination bill SB 403 is finally approved and passed in California. It was passed by the Californian Senate and now the judiciary too has passed it unanimously. All efforts by the self-proclaimed champions of Hinduism fell flat as they tried to project as if there is no caste system in our society and everything was imported. Shamelessness of such people is that despite living in the Western world for decades, they have not been able to assimilate there and have no love for the modern, liberal democratic values that the individual enjoy there. They despite these liberal values and provide support to most regressive forces back home who want women to remain subjugated to their families and people believe in caste system.

Most of the time, they provide argument that there is no caste system and it is not based on birth which means those who are brahmins are not there because of their birth but because of their 'knowledge'. Most of these NRIs listen to Arnab Goswami and his ranting or C grade debates on our prime time Hindi channels.

It is great that anti-caste forces have finally registered their presence. Today, we celebrate California and tomorrow, will be some other states. World needs to grow. Anti-caste forces must join hand and remember this is not a question inside Hinduism alone but inside Islam and Christianity too in South Asia so important to fight caste discrimination everywhere.

I was listening to a video which is now being forwarded at many places by a regressive Mufti in Pakistan who virtually abuse the women lib and call them Bhangan and Chamaran. It was simply outrageous. This man has become highly popular in India also as reflected in the comments on YouTube but it purely reflect how a bigger Muslim masses too look down upon the Dalits in utter contempt and in an undignified way.

Those deshbhakt NRIs who feel Hindus are being 'blamed' for no fault should look at the Sanskari Pravesh Shukla in Madhya Pradesh. How the police has treated him are visible on various video footage. He game with a Bhagwa Gamchha and a bulldozer went to his house 'cleaned' it and returned. Shukla is not a Muslim hence the bulldozer showed extreme 'mercy' on him. Normally, shouting over the top brigade remain silent and dissociated with Shukla but the fact is who knows he will be out on bail soon and will a get a ticket from the Hindutva Party. So much 'democracy' loving party and its sanskari bhakts.

Congratulations Ambedkarites, anti-caste forces, human rights defenders and all those who stood with this bill. Let us celebrate it and hope it spread across the world. Caste discrimination is a reality and must be fought with lock-stock and barrel.

---

*Human rights defender

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