Anti-caste bill passes California Senate, 34-1

California's Senate Bill 403 brought out supporters and opponents during hearings.

The California Senate voted 34-1 May 11 in favor of legislation outlawing caste discrimination in the state. 

If Senate Bill 403 passes in the state Assembly and is enacted, California could become the first state in the nation to make caste bias illegal by adding it as a protected category in the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

“California reaffirms its commitment to stand against discrimination and I’m proud that this is a bipartisan effort amongst my colleagues, said State Sen. Aisha Wahab, who authored the bill. SB 403 is one of the most high-profile bills in the legislature this session, and brought out a record number of people to comment on the bill at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in April."

Senator Wahab, who has been working on this bill since November 2022, has received numerous threats, including death threats. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with unanimous bipartisan support.

Of the legislation, Wahab says “this bill is about workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights. This bill is about ensuring the American Dream is accessible to all those who pursue it.” SB403 is now headed to the Assembly, and must make its way through committees and a floor vote before it reaches Governor Newsom’s desk.

The bills is supported by ACLU, Bend the Arc, California Labor Federation, Alphabet Workers Union, MeToo International, and many others.

Opponents have maintained that the law will single out Hindus and people of Indian descent.

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