Minister for Women and Equalities Responds to Question on Equality Act 2010

18th November 2025

Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) Justin Madders submitted a written question to Minister of Women and Equalities Seema Malhotra about whether she will implement the power under section 9(5)(a) of the Equality Act 2010 to make caste a protected characteristic.

In response, MP Malhotra stated, “The government is considering whether these existing remedies offer appropriate legal protection for victims of caste discrimination.”

Brief Report of the Webinar on Caste and FoRB in South Asia

18th November 2025

Introduction

A webinar on Caste and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in South Asia was convened on 29 September 2025, bringing together scholars, activists, and practitioners to deliberate on the intersection of caste and FoRB. The event was jointly organized by SAFFoRB, the Dalit Solidarity Network (UK), and The Inclusivity Project (USA). The session attracted around 80 participants from across the globe.

Dr Elizabeth Joy, Director of the Dalit Solidarity Network UK, moderated the discussion, and Mr Samuel, Director of SAFFoRB extended the welcome address. Panellists included Mr. Paul Divakar (The Inclusivity Project, USA), Ms. Nimalka Fernando (IMADR, Sri Lanka), and Dr. Asang (University of Oxford). After a very rich plenary discussion with questions to all the panellists, the event ended with Dr Robancy Amal giving the vote of thanks.

Caste and FoRB in India

Mr. Paul Divakar shared his reflections on reconciling his Dalit and Christian identities. Drawing from his personal journey and experiences of violence—including the Kandhamal attacks—he emphasized how Dalit Christians continue to face exclusion despite constitutional protections. He called for the church to address caste discrimination as a human rights issue and highlighted the need for legal reforms. He also drew attention to the ongoing UN deliberations on caste discrimination, which remain unresolved.

Sri Lanka’s Minority Struggles

Ms. Nimalka Fernando outlined the discrimination faced by Tamils, Muslims, and plantation workers in Sri Lanka. While constitutional guarantees prohibit caste- and religion-based discrimination, inequalities persist, often rooted in colonial-era labor systems. She underscored the importance of reconciliation, peacebuilding, and equitable power sharing. Nimalka also stressed the role of education in dismantling discriminatory structures and reflected on her international advocacy with IMADR.

Caste in the International Human Rights Framework

Dr. Asang provided a legal perspective on caste within the UN system, citing General Recommendation 29 and General Comment 22, which recognize caste as a barrier to FoRB. He noted that caste-based discrimination persists across religions, with Dalit Muslims and Christians in India continuing to be excluded from affirmative action. He argued for stronger international monitoring and the recognition of caste as a global human rights issue.

Broader Reflections

The discussion emphasized that caste identity follows individuals beyond religious conversion and migration. It intersects with religion, region, class and gender. Participants highlighted the misuse of terms such as “Hinduphobia” to silence critique of caste practices. The importance of reliable caste data with caste disaggregated census implementation was repeatedly stressed.

Panellists also reflected on international mechanisms, particularly the role of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). They suggested that the upcoming 60th anniversary of CERD could provide a valuable platform to amplify caste-related concerns globally.

Key Recommendations

Recognize caste as a structural barrier to FoRB in South Asia.
Encourage religious institutions and civil society to address caste from a human rights perspective.
Extend affirmative action and legal protections to Dalit Christians and Muslims.
Strengthen data collection through caste-based censuses.
Promote education as a transformative tool for equality.
Leverage UN mechanisms such as CERD and advocate for a dedicated monitoring body on caste discrimination.

Conclusion

The webinar concluded with a strong consensus that caste remains one of the most persistent and overlooked barriers to freedom of religion or belief in South Asia. The panellists and participants called for sustained advocacy at both national and international levels, stronger legal and institutional mechanisms, and global solidarity to dismantle caste-based oppression.

DSN UK Holds Anti-Caste Advocacy Meeting Debriefing at Senate House

18th November 2025

Following the anti-caste advocacy meeting held at the House of Lords on 15 September 2025, DSN UK congregated with an intimate group of scholars, policymakers, and activists at the Senate House in London on 16 September 2025 to debrief and identify next steps.

The debriefing was chaired by Dr Shailesh Kumar, Lecturer in Law at Royal Holloway, University of London. The panel included: Dr Thol Thirumavalavan, Leader and President of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi; Rt Rev Dr Anderson Jeremiah, Church of England; Amar, Director, Leicester Secular Society; and Aarti Rajput, Commonwealth Scholar at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex.

The four panellists and chair highlighted the interpersonal and institutional forms through which caste manifests in the UK, particularly across higher education. Closing with a rich discussion amongst the attendees, many of whom shared their lived experiences of caste discrimination in the UK, DSN UK determined a list of action items to pursue across the coming months. This includes working collaboratively with fellow anti-caste activists and collectives in the country as well as building partnerships with organisations combatting related forms of discrimination such as labour rights violations and gender violence.

DSN UK Hosts Anti-Caste Briefing at House of Lords

18th November 2025

On 15 September 2025, DSN UK gathered a group of committed activists, scholars, and policymakers to address the urgent need to add caste as a separate protected category within the United Kingdom’s Equality Act 2010. The briefing was hosted by The Rt Rev. the Lord Harries of Pentregarth DD, a current member of the House of Lords.

Following an opening address from Mr Bala Gnanapragasam, Chair of DSN UK’s Board of Trustees, Warinder Juss MP shared a note on the anti-caste advocacy he is involved in as a Member of Parliament. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Thol Thirumavalavan, Leader and President of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi in Tamil Nadu, India. Dr Thirumavalavan discussed the crucial connections between the fight against caste discrimination in India and the UK.

Rt Rev Dr Anderson Jeremiah from the Church of England provided a response to Dr Thirumavalavan’s address, highlighting the systemic means through which caste manifests in the UK, including in higher education and healthcare. Ms Santosh Dass MBE from the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance also shared a response, through which she emphasised the important work being done by anti-caste activists and collectives in the UK.

During the briefing, Dr Gowthama Sanna, Author and General Secretary, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, released his newest publications, People at Bay and Letters of Revolutionary, translated and compiled from Dr B R Ambedkar’s unpublished works.

Finally, Dr Asang Wankhede introduced the relaunched Everyday Casteism Project form, encouraging individuals to report their experiences of everyday caste discrimination in order to advocate for the inclusion of caste as a separate protected category within the Equality Act 2010. The briefing was followed by an energetic and lively discussion amongst those who joined the event.

DSN UK Hosts Community Outreach Event in Collaboration with Jaibhim Foundation Europe

18th November 2025

In collaboration with Jaibhim Foundation Europe, DSN UK hosted a community event on 14 September 2025 at Mayfield School, Dagenham, in London. At the event, Dr Thol Thirumavalavan, Leader and President of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, addressed the audience in his keynote speech.

Dr Gowthama Sanna, Deputy General Secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, also released two of his latest publications, People at Bay and Letters of Revolutionary. Both books are compilations and translations of Dr B R Ambedkar’s unpublished works.

Additionally, DSN UK Director Dr Elizabeth Joy delivered a speech on the fight against caste discrimination in the UK, highlighting DSN UK’s newly revamped Everyday Casteism Project submission form. Audience members were encouraged to share their lived experiences of caste discrimination in the UK in order to support anti-caste advocacy efforts in the country.