April is Dalit History Month and it’s hard to believe that this is the ninth year since the Dalit History Month Collective facilitated recognition of this month. Since 2015, the practice of celebrating and observing Dalit History Month has spread across the globe.
“Dalit” is a term used in India to describe individuals who belong to the caste-oppressed category within the traditional caste system; Dalits are often referred to as “untouchables.” The term “Dalit” means “oppressed” or “downtrodden” in Sanskrit and was adopted by members of this community as a way to assert their identity and challenge the stigma associated with their caste status. Similar to white supremacy, where there is a bodily hierarchy of value based on skin colour, caste supremacy harmfully categorizes the value of bodies based on the contexts they are born into.
The caste system in India stands as one of the oldest social hierarchies globally, deeply intertwined with Hinduism. It organizes society into distinct social groups based on the concept of ritual purity. Individuals are born into a specific caste and typically remain in that caste for life, although the specific ranking within the caste can vary across regions and generations. The justification for these differences in social status lies in the religious principle of karma, which suggests that one’s current position in society is a result of actions in past lives.
Last year, I wrote about April being Dalit History Month and, as a part of my ongoing commitments to disrupting and ending caste supremacy, I am excited to contribute to a series of articles in honour of Dalit History Month 2024, to educate the community about the harm that comes from caste supremacy as well as to uplift and centre the powerful advocacy and work. This is the first of four articles that will be available on the Burlington Local News platform.
As Ontarians, it especially behooves us to educate ourselves about the harmful impact of caste supremacy and to learn to recognize and disrupt caste discrimination wherever and whenever it occurs, because in October 2023, the Ontario Human Rights Commission recognized caste as an area of discrimination. So, in effect, organizations, governments, and businesses in Ontario now have a duty to update policies and to ensure that employees understand their rights, duties, and obligations under this expansion of areas of discrimination.
Caste discrimination in the diaspora (communities of people who have emigrated to other countries, but still identify closely with their home country) can manifest in various ways, often subtly but with significant impacts on individuals and communities. Some common examples include:
- Social Exclusion: Dalits and other caste-oppressed individuals may face exclusion from social gatherings, religious events, or community activities. They may be treated as inferior or unworthy of full participation.
- Employment Discrimination: Discrimination in the workplace can occur through unequal opportunities for hiring, promotion, or fair wages. Caste bias may influence decision-making, leading to unfair treatment or exclusion from certain professions.
- Educational Barriers: Dalit and other caste-oppressed students may face discrimination in educational settings, including bullying, segregation, or lack of access to resources and support. Bullying due to caste discrimination hit the news last year when the Toronto District School Board approved a motion to address caste discrimination formally, described in more detail below.
- Marriage and Relationships: Caste can play a role in marriage and relationships, with individuals facing pressure to marry within their caste or encountering resistance and discrimination if they choose to marry outside their caste.
- Microaggressions: Subtle forms of discrimination, such as jokes, comments, or stereotypes based on caste, can create a hostile environment and perpetuate negative stereotypes.
- Access to Services: Dalits and other caste-oppressed individuals may face barriers in accessing services such as healthcare, housing, or legal assistance due to discrimination or prejudice.
- Political and Social Representation: Dalits and other caste-oppressed individuals may face obstacles in political participation and representation, with their voices marginalized or ignored in decision-making processes.
- Interpersonal Relationships: Caste discrimination can affect interpersonal relationships, leading to social stigma, ostracism, or even violence against individuals of oppressed castes.
The trailblazing decision of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to recognize caste as an area of discrimination last March (2023), which influenced the Ontario Human Rights Council decision to do the same, is being challenged by the creation of a “Hinduphobia” bill petition e 4507l. That petition was launched by a director of the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education; the organization has also openly opposed TDSB’s plan to implement their motion, saying that it teaches “the lie that Hindu faith explicitly teaches to oppress others.” The “Hinduphobia” petition essentially flattens the anti-caste discrimination work so that any bullying, violence, or other harm caused would be accorded to anti-Hinduism; any caste-based discrimination would be invisible under this label.
Vijay Puli, executive director of SADAN Canada (South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network of Canada) responded to this: “I’m unsure of their intent in pushing for this petition, but it directly affects our Dalit Adivasi caste-oppressed communities due to the historical connection between caste discrimination and religion…to put it plainly, if someone were to advocate for a ‘Whitephobia’ bill while claiming it doesn’t affect racial or Indigenous concerns, would that truly hold any logical ground?” Overall, caste discrimination in the diaspora is often covert and deeply embedded in social structures, making it challenging to address. It requires a concerted effort to raise awareness, promote inclusivity, and challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices.
To this end, I am proud to share that two requests to the City of Burlington to recognize April 2024 as Dalit History Month, as well as April 14, 2024, as Bhim Rao Ambedkar Day of Equity were approved. Dr. Bhim Rao (B. R.) Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, and is known for his anti-caste-discrimination work, and for leading the work on the Constitution of India. Dr. Ambedkar was also a Dalit. On March 19, 2024, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward presented the proclamations to a small group of community members that included Vijay Puli, founder and executive director of SADAN Canada, as well as members and allies of SADAN Canada.
This was a powerful moment for the movement because it was the first time, at least in Ontario, that a municipality has recognized both Dalit History Month as well as Dr. Ambedkar’s birthday.
Stay tuned for part two of this series, so that you too can educate yourself on caste supremacy and how to disrupt it.
Correction notice: we have corrected the term “lower caste” to “caste-oppressed” to reflect the understanding that Dalit people (and other caste-oppressed people) are not “lower” than anyone else and deserve to be described in accurate language that reflects the fact that their treatment is undeserved and based on systems that discriminate against them. We sincerely apologize for any harm caused.
Sources:
CBC Radio. Oct. 6, 2020. How an ‘untouchable’ inspired a force of resistance against inequality in India. Url: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/how-an-untouchable-inspired-a-force-of-resistance-against-inequality-in-india-1.5751868 (accessed April 4, 2024).
Human Rights Watch. n.d. Caste Discrimination. IV. Background. Url: https://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/globalcaste/caste0801-03.htm (accessed April 4, 2024).
Jagannathan, S. Oct. 5, 2023. Canadian Hindu groups reinforce call for Hinduphobia bill amid escalating India-Canada standoff. New Canadian Media. Url: https://www.newcanadianmedia.ca/canadian-hindu-groups-reinforce-call-for-hinduphobia-bill-amid-escalating-india-canada-standoff/ (accessed April 4, 2024).
Talati, S. March 8, 2023. Updated: ‘Historic’ motion to address caste discrimination approved by Toronto District School Board. New Canadian Media. Url: https://www.newcanadianmedia.ca/historic-motion-to-address-caste-discrimination-under-consideration-by-toronto-district-school-board/ (accessed April 4, 2024).
For the description of the impact of caste on the diaspora, ChatGPT helped to create the list of areas of daily life affected by caste discrimination. The content was edited and vetted for accuracy by way of conversations with people who identify as Dalit in the diaspora (including Vijay Puli, who is quoted in the article), and through other sources, including news reports of bullying due to caste. AI was not used in any other part of the article.
OpenAI ChatGPT. March 28, 2024. Question: What does caste discrimination look like day to day in the diaspora. Url: https://chat.openai.com/
Leena Sharma Seth (she/her) is a settler and award-winning consultant, coach, trainer, and speaker at a firm she founded called Mending the Chasm. She works with businesses, organizations, and communities who are ready to create communities and workplaces that are inclusive, belonging-abundant, and safe for all members. When she’s not kicking at the darkness until it bleeds daylight, she’s enjoying road trips, 80s Bollywood music, and perfecting the art of baking cinnamon buns. She’s proud to call Burlington home and to be raising her children with her partner Sanjay.
