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.
International Dalit Solidarity Network’s recommendations for 60th session of UN Human Rights Council
9th September 2025
The 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council will take place from 8 September, 2025, to 8 October, 2025. In connection with their participation, International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) has developed and shared policy and advocacy recommendations to ensure UN Member States meaningfully consider the ongoing and systemic challenge of caste-based discrimination.
Key recommendations include establishing caste- and gender-sensitive policies that address the compounding discrimination that Dalit women face; removing caste-based barriers to safe drinking water and sustainable energy; recognising caste-based discrimination as a barrier to legal remedy and justice; and enforcing existing legislation to end exploitative caste-based labour, particularly in instances involving Dalit children.
Caste issues have been raised by the UN High Commissioner and by UN Special Procedures in their reports. However, much more needs to be done. IDSN and DSN UK continue our collective work, fighting globally against caste-based discrimination. Read IDSN’s full recommendations report here.
Podcast: Breaking the silence on caste in academia
28th August 2025
Caste isn’t just a South Asian issue. It shapes who speaks, who listens, and who is heard in academic and development spaces worldwide. In this episode of Between the Lines, we explore how caste hierarchies continue to influence the production of knowledge, access to opportunities, and the experience of being in higher education.
Listen to this episode of the Between the Lines podcast by the Institute of Development Studies. This episode features anti-caste scholars and activists Aarti Rajput, Ritu Kochar, and Priyanka Samy. They speak about the silences, exclusions, and resistances that define their journeys in the UK and global academic setting. The episode was hosted by DSN UK Programme Officer Chandni Sai Ganesh.
Pro Casteism Brahmins’ Protest delays the Bollywood film on anti-caste Icons
17th April 2025
Jyotirao Phule, popularly known as Jyotiba Phule was born on 11th April April 1827 and passed away on 28th November 1890, was an Indian social activist, businessman, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. It was he who coined the term Dalit in the 19th century. This is the only identity chosen and accepted by DALITS to represent their status and their quest for liberation. Savitribai Phule his wife was also the first woman activist who opened up education for Dalits especially women and the first woman teacher in India. It is the Bollywood film on this great couple that Pro Casteism Brahmins Protest delays deliberately as reported below:
I am very pleased to join Dalit Solidarity UK as its Director to continue to pursue my drean and vision of a world without caste discrimination.
Today, 10th October is celebrated as the World Mental Health Day since 1992. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health at Workplace’ which becomes very relevant for Dalits who face brutal discrimination in their workplaces especially in South Asian Countries where it is practiced, and Migration of the dominant population to other parts of world where they generally continue to observe caste discrimination in discrete ways. We especially remember those who still work as manual scavengers, farmers who face the brunt of being humiliated, and exploited.
Last year’s theme too, ‘End the stigma and discrimination’ was very apt to describe the identity of Dalits who face these realities every day in their lives. Mental health issues are faced generation after generation and can be traced back to more than 2000 years in human history. This calls us to act in solidarity with Dalits who bear the brunt of discrimination and stigma, losing their mental health at workplaces. At this point we also remember all those who are unemployed and face mental health issues. We once again pledge our solidarity as DSN UK, to work for a world without caste discrimination here in UK, South Asian countries and other parts of the world.
Dr Elizabeth Joy
Director – DSN UK
10th Dec 2024
Dalit Solidarity Network UK (DSN-UK) announces appointment of its director Dr Elizabeth Joy from September 2024
9th October 2024
Bala Gnanapragasam the Chair of DSN UK said,
“I am delighted to welcome Dr Elizabeth Joy as the Director at the DSN-UK to further DSN UK’s vision of ‘a world without caste discrimination’.
She brings a wealth of experience and skills, including two decades of proven leadership, including as General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement of India and Executive Secretary for Mission Education at the Council for World Mission. As a Director/Trustee of Churches Together in England, she led initiatives against modern slavery. She also holds a PhD from King’s College London, where she previously taught social ethics and applied ethics.
She is an activist and a visionary, who has lived and worked with multi-cultural and multi-faith communities. She has worked extensively for the cause of Dalit Rights as Human Rights. She works towards building inclusive and transformed communities that overcome discriminations based on caste, age, gender, ethnicity and race. “
Decent Work NOT Descent work! 
