California Senate Bill 403 and the Politics of Caste Discrimination

California might become the first state in the nation to ban discrimination based on caste, a hierarchical system based on birth that affects South Asians all over the world. Senate Bill 403, which was introduced by State Sen. Aisha Wahab, passed the state legislature and is now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for his signature or veto. In this episode that originally aired in June, reporter Sonia Paul breaks down the complexity of this issue and why it has divided South Asians in the Bay Area.

This episode originally aired on June 5, 2023.

Guest: Sonia Paul, freelance journalist

Links: 

• How a Bill to Ban Caste Discrimination Morphed Into a Fight About Wokism
• California lawmakers send caste discrimination bill to Newsom

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