Ambedkar warned that “if Hindus migrate to other regions on earth, Indian caste wouldbecome a world problem”. Today, his words find evidence in reality.

What is Diaspora? – Diaspora refers to the people who have migrated from their homeland (in this case, India) to different parts of the world, seeking to establish their cultural identity and livelihood in the migrated country. 

Research by Equality Labs in the US  suggests that 40% of Dalit students reported facing discrimination in educational institutions in the diaspora. Another report on caste and tech found that one in two Dalit tech workers (out of the 500 surveyed) faced caste related discrimination at workplace. 

Australian Human Rights Commission, drafting an anti-racism framework notes that “caste identity and hierarchy is entrenched within the Australian South Asian Communities, even though they might not be noticed by those outside of these communities.” 

In UK, the 2010 report titled “Caste discrimination and harassment in Great Britain” provides evidence of caste-based harassment while also including a provision that in cases of caste directed violence, caste maybe treated as an aspect of race. 

We must reflect on how deep-rooted and validated caste and its biases are to cross borders. While the evidence of caste-based discrimination exists in many countries in different forms, the call for a separate law acknowledging and addressing this violence remains unanswered. 

Thenmozhi Soundararajan in her book, “The Trauma of Caste” shares her experience of growing up away from India but with the harsh realities of caste in the diaspora. Her book serves as the inspiration behind this post.