Caste Discrimination in the UK

Caste Discrimination does not just affect people in South Asia. It is estimated that at least 50,000 Dalits live in the UK. The exact figure is unknown because of the issues around identification as a Dalit and reluctance by some to acknowledge their so-called “outcaste” origins.

In July 2006, DSN UK launched the report No Escape: Caste Discrimination in the UK.

This was the result of a research project funded by Barrow Cadbury in order to explore the impact of caste discrimination among the Indian Diaspora in the UK. This first national survey of caste discrimination in the UK was carried out through a detailed questionnaire and meetings with Dalit organisations, community groups and individuals. Research was carried out by Savio Lourdu Mahimaidass a Dalit activist based in the UK, and analysis by Dr Nidhi Sadana who is associated with the Indian Institute for Dalit Studies in Delhi.

The report clearly illustrates that caste discrimination exists in a variety of forms in the UK, and affects many areas of life including employment, education and religious institutions. It includes recommendations for action for national and local government, the education sector, trade unions and employers to encourage them to help address this serious issue.

The current low level of awareness about the issues raised in this report, shows the necessity of continued research, lobbying and advocacy on this issue in the UK as well as abroad.

The research has been instrumental in bringing caste discrimination to the attention of the UK Government and raising awareness about the Dalit community in the UK. In particular, it has provided the corner stone of our submissions to the Equalities Review and the Discrimination Law Review highlighting the need for amending discrimination law in the UK to include ‘discrimination on the grounds of caste' as a new strand in the Equalities Act.