I am supporting the legislation against caste discrimination. There are two things which I have always focused on. One is discrimination in any form and the second is treatment of women.
We all know that Hindu lobby is very strongly opposed one of the reasons they say is that there is no discrimination. I say to that in that case why are they worried. If the legislation comes in nothing will happen!
Frankly having talked to Dalit groups there is discrimination and surely it is to be expected from Hindus which ever country they are in. I am old enough to remember 1947 most of us believed that with freedom we will get rid of our worst practices such as cast and dowry. This has not happened in fact in India it has got worse.
I want to say something about Ms. Vyas’ points.
1. The judge does not need to define caste he is only dealing with discrimination.
2. Caste is the most negative aspect of Hindu religion.
3. This should not be seen as an attack on the Indian community we should set out to prove that we do not discriminate.
4. Former chairman of Human Rights and Equality Commission produced two reports one on social aspect and one on legal aspect both came out with it being possible to bring casting to quality legislation.
5. We already have inter community friction.
6. Repetition of 2.
7. Reinforces 2 and 6.
8. Hindus do not treat people as equals by birth.
9. There is no two tier system since it will only affect those who discriminate.
10. This is to try and frighten people, it makes no sense whatsoever.
It is for us to make sure that there is no class discrimination and we do create an equal society amongst the Hindus. We may not want caste to be entrenched in the law it is therefore for us to prove that it is not an issue.
I would like to remind us how the White British felt when the first Race Relations act came in. They felt that the minorities were being given more rights than the white people. We know that was not the case. When I was a teacher I saw plenty of examples of lower caste boys being taunted and teased by the others. Can I also remind all of your readers about the events organised for girls and boys to meet each other they are only open to the same caste or subcaste?
I hope all your readers know that the Sanskrit word for cast is VARNA which is the same word for colour.
Finally the Hindu lobby is very strong and has used its strength to block this legislation. Bob Blackman MP of course is looking at his vote bank and he is a great supporter of Nitin Palan.
Baroness Shreela Flather
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