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

Comments

From algorithms to exploitation: New report exposes plight of India's gig workers

By Jag Jivan The recent report, "State of Finance in India Report 2024-25," released by a coalition including the Centre for Financial Accountability, Focus on the Global South, and other organizations, paints a stark picture of India's burgeoning digital economy, particularly highlighting the exploitation faced by gig workers on platform-based services.

'Condonation of war crimes against women and children’: IPSN on Trump’s Gaza Board

By A Representative The India-Palestine Solidarity Network (IPSN) has strongly condemned the announcement of a proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza and Palestine by former US President Donald J. Trump, calling it an initiative that “condones war crimes against children and women” and “rubs salt in Palestinian wounds.”

Gig workers hold online strike on republic day; nationwide protests planned on February 3

By A Representative Gig and platform service workers across the country observed a nationwide online strike on Republic Day, responding to a call given by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) to protest what it described as exploitation, insecurity and denial of basic worker rights in the platform economy. The union said women gig workers led the January 26 action by switching off their work apps as a mark of protest.

India’s road to sustainability: Why alternative fuels matter beyond electric vehicles

By Suyash Gupta* India’s worsening air quality makes the shift towards clean mobility urgent. However, while electric vehicles (EVs) are central to India’s strategy, they alone cannot address the country’s diverse pollution and energy challenges.

Jayanthi Natarajan "never stood by tribals' rights" in MNC Vedanta's move to mine Niyamigiri Hills in Odisha

By A Representative The Odisha Chapter of the Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), which played a vital role in the struggle for the enactment of historic Forest Rights Act, 2006 has blamed former Union environment minister Jaynaynthi Natarjan for failing to play any vital role to defend the tribals' rights in the forest areas during her tenure under the former UPA government. Countering her recent statement that she rejected environmental clearance to Vendanta, the top UK-based NMC, despite tremendous pressure from her colleagues in Cabinet and huge criticism from industry, and the claim that her decision was “upheld by the Supreme Court”, the CSD said this is simply not true, and actually she "disrespected" FRA.

Stands 'exposed': Cavalier attitude towards rushed construction of Char Dham project

By Bharat Dogra* The nation heaved a big sigh of relief when the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel (Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand) were finally rescued on November 28 after a 17-day rescue effort. All those involved in the rescue effort deserve a big thanks of the entire country. The government deserves appreciation for providing all-round support.

Whither space for the marginalised in Kerala's privately-driven townships after landslides?

By Ipshita Basu, Sudheesh R.C. In the early hours of July 30 2024, a landslide in the Wayanad district of Kerala state, India, killed 400 people. The Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Vellarimala and Chooralmala villages in the Western Ghats mountain range turned into a dystopian rubble of uprooted trees and debris.

Over 40% of gig workers earn below ₹15,000 a month: Economic Survey

By A Representative The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, while reviewing the Economic Survey in Parliament on Tuesday, highlighted the rapid growth of gig and platform workers in India. According to the Survey, the number of gig workers has increased from 7.7 million to around 12 million, marking a growth of about 55 percent. Their share in the overall workforce is projected to rise from 2 percent to 6.7 percent, with gig workers expected to contribute approximately ₹2.35 lakh crore to the GDP by 2030. The Survey also noted that over 40 percent of gig workers earn less than ₹15,000 per month.

Fragmented opposition and identity politics shaping Tamil Nadu’s 2026 election battle

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Tamil Nadu is set to go to the polls in April 2026, and the political battle lines are beginning to take shape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on January 23, 2026, marked the formal launch of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Addressing multiple public meetings, the Prime Minister accused the DMK government of corruption, criminality, and dynastic politics, and called for Tamil Nadu to be “freed from DMK’s chains.” PM Modi alleged that the DMK had turned Tamil Nadu into a drug-ridden state and betrayed public trust by governing through what he described as “Corruption, Mafia and Crime,” derisively terming it “CMC rule.” He claimed that despite making numerous promises, the DMK had failed to deliver meaningful development. He also targeted what he described as the party’s dynastic character, arguing that the government functioned primarily for the benefit of a single family a...

Search This Blog