Inclusion of Caste as a Category in the Equality Act 2010

14th July 2025

As we reflect on DSN UK’s response to Equality law call for evidence which was submitted on 28th June 2025, we realise more that unless caste is included as a protected category in the UK’s Equality Act 2010, there is very little hope to experience equality for the South Asian Diaspora especially from India in UK. The diaspora remains to be divided based on the age old caste pyramid structure for more than 2500 years. However, Dr Elizabeth Joy feels there is hope in a few MPs like Warinder Juss (Time to outlaw caste discrimination – MP | Dalit Solidarity Network), and Nadia Whittome asking ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make caste-based discrimination illegal, and Minister Seema Malhotra speaking out, saying, “No one should suffer prejudice or discrimination on any grounds, including any perception of their caste.” raise our hope in combating Caste Based Discrimination (CBD) here in the UK. The intensity of the negative impact due to CBD in India which is reflected as a mirror image here in UK. Recently, on 2nd July, the voice heard powerfully from Lord Richard Harries, Chair of APPG for Dalita and Adivasis, along with Warinder Juss MP and others at the Portcullis House on ‘Why the UK must ban caste discrimination’ organised by Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA) which Dr Elizabeth Joy the Director of DSN UK attended enables the stakeholder group to march forward in hope.

Dr Elizabeth Joy

https://www.ft.com/content/b0a7eb5e-2f03-4855-81ea-3d8fd07e4b26