UK decides not to enact law on caste discrimination

After years of consultations, research and debate inside and outside parliament on the sensitive issue of outlawing caste-based discrimination, the Theresa May government on Monday decided not to legislate but rely on emerging case-law in courts.

The 1.5 million-strong Indian community has been deeply divided on the issue, with influential Hindu, Sikh and Jain lobbies denying that caste-based discrimination exists in Britain, stating that enacting such a law would entrench ideas of caste where none exist, while several individuals, Dalit and other groups insist it exists.

The issue has been of interest to New Delhi, which has opposed clubbing 'caste' with 'race' in international fora in the past. The Government Equalities Office (GEO) said it is “not persuaded” that introducing explicit legislation was the best way to protect against caste based discrimination. The result of the consultation was hailed by Hindu groups while Dalit groups expressed disappointment.

Enacting the law was supported by several campaign groups and individuals, including prominent Mumbai-born sculptor, Anish Kapoor.

Anil Bhanot of the Hindu Council UK said: “We have worked hard to promote community cohesion for the last 20 years to unite all Hindu and Sikh communities, whatever caste, as one British Indian integrated community into the country's evolving and dynamic culture”.