Caste discrimination is a form of social discrimination based on a persons birth into a particular caste or social group. It affects an estimated 260 million people worldwide, the vast majority living in South Asia. The caste system in India is the most well-known example of caste discrimination, but it also exists in other parts of the world, including the United States.
Caste discrimination involves massive violations of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. It is often expressed through "untouchability practices," which stem from the notion that different caste groups have varying degrees of purity and pollution, with Dalits and other caste-affected groups being considered so impure that they can pollute other groups.
In India, the caste system has its origins in ancient times and has been transformed by various ruling elites over the centuries. While negative discrimination on the basis of caste was banned by law in 1948 and further enshrined in the Indian constitution in 1950, the system continues to be practiced in parts of India. In Nepal, the 1990 constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste, but an exception was created for Hindu religious practices.
Caste discrimination is not officially recognized by law as a category of discrimination in the United States, but it has come to light in recent times due to recent reports of discrimination. In 2021, the student body of the California State University system passed a resolution against caste discrimination.
