Thread by @CoHNAOfficial

THREAD: Indian Americans from various backgrounds protest @SCCgov's efforts to include "caste" as a category in their anti-discrimination policies. So, what is the problem and why should the Indian diaspora care about such a legislation or policy? A dozen reasons follow! 1/n

Policy seeks to have taxpayer supported bodies “define” Hinduism and how it is “deemed” to be practiced – a clear violation of the right to freedom of religion. 2/n

Attributes “caste” to Hindus only, ignoring those found among Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, etc. roundtableindia.co.in/index.php?opti… 3/n

Defines "caste" using racist and colonial theories about native populations. bbc.com/news/world-asi… 4/n

Creates a double standard that is inherently unfair to Indian Americans of all stripes as well as to Hindus from across the globe. Only Hindus will have to actively show that they don’t practice “caste” discrimination. People from other religions won’t have to do so. 5/n

Creates perpetual suspicion against Hindu Americans - CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professors, international Indian students and international Indian employees. 6/n

Existing laws provide protection against discrimination on the basis of national origin, ancestry, and ethnicity,
all of which could extend to "caste." 7/n

"Caste" is not facially neutral nor generally applicable in the way race, religion, national origin, gender, etc. are. Thus, including "caste" as a category automatically marks all Hindus and Indians as suspect and opens them up to discrimination. 8/n

There is no universally acceptable definition of "caste" in the United States or even in India. Most Indian Americans are not even aware of their “caste,” let alone practice “caste discrimination.” 9/n

Puts Hindu children at greater risk of bullying. Subjects them to trauma by portraying that “caste” discrimination is an essential and intrinsic part of their religion. They may even be called descendants of “casteist parents” who discriminate against others. 10/n

An administrative nightmare in waiting for any legislator, policymaker or HR dept. They will have to decipher a complex colonial framework now followed in India. How will they determine "upper castes" vs "lower castes" from the thousands that exist? financialexpress.com/archive/column… 11/n

Relies on faulty statistical methodology from a group known for its hatred of Hinduism and Hindus, thus advancing bigotry against Hindu Americans. Here is a detailed rebuttal to the faulty "caste" survey - medium.com/@rachelgotham5 12/n

Erases the lived and immigrant experiences of Hindus and automatically categorizes them as privileged and therefore oppressive. 13/n