California has made history by becoming the first state in the United States to pass a bill prohibiting caste discrimination.
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Caste-based systems have been used in countries like India for centuries, resulting in subjugation and oppression of lower caste communities by those at the top.
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The bill is a response to the caste system that has existed in India for over 3,000 years, dividing people into strict hierarchies, including Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits (untouchables).
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Discrimination based on caste is still prevalent, and there have been reported instances of caste-based discrimination, even in countries like the United States.
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Democratic state senator Aisha Wahab sponsored the bill, which was passed on May 31, 2023.
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It aims to include caste as a protected category in the state's anti-discrimination laws, alongside factors like gender, race, religion, and disability.
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Aisha Wahab made history as the first Muslim and Afghan-American woman elected to the State Legislature.
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The bill faced opposition from five Republican Senators who argued that existing state law already deemed discrimination illegal.
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Supporters of the bill believe it will provide protection to individuals of South Asian descent against discrimination based on their caste.
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The bill's fate now rests on the governor's decision, who will consider its impact and necessity before deciding whether to sign it into law.
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The bill aims to protect individuals of South Asian descent who often experience unfair treatment based on their caste.
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