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.
