The Toronto District School Board, the largest in Canada, has taken a significant step towards addressing discrimination based on caste. The board voted 16-5 in favour of recognising the existence of caste-based discrimination and creating a framework for addressing it. This move makes Toronto the first city in Canada to acknowledge the issue of casteism, a system of social stratification from South Asia that has persisted for thousands of years.
The motion was introduced by board trustee Yalini Rajakulasingam, who emphasised that the goal was not to create division but to provide safer schools and empower communities. Rajakulasingam also called for collaboration with the human rights commission of Ontario.
The vote is part of a growing trend in North America to combat discrimination based on caste. Under the caste system, those occupying lower levels of the social hierarchy experience persistent discrimination, abuse, and sometimes violence. In countries with large South Asian communities like the US, members of the Dalit community, also known as “untouchables,” have pushed to ban casteism.
Seattle, Washington, became the first city in the United States to ban discrimination based on caste in February 2023. Groups in favour of Seattle’s push to include caste in its anti-discrimination laws circulated a letter stating that “like racism, casteism is a system of oppression; it is a very real — and growing — problem in our country and our local communities, but one that is not understood by most Americans.”
However, some Hindu groups have pushed back against the effort, arguing that it unfairly maligned Hinduism and could promote bigotry. Despite this, the California State University (CSU) public university system added caste to its non-discrimination policy in January 2022, marking another important victory for Dalit rights groups.
Prem Pariyar, a Dalit activist, told Al Jazeera at the time that “this policy will educate people about invisible caste discrimination. It will help to create a welcoming environment for Dalit students across the nation.”
The recognition of caste-based discrimination is an important step towards creating a more inclusive society that values diversity and promotes equality. By acknowledging and addressing this issue, Toronto’s school board has set an example for other cities and institutions to follow. It is crucial that we continue to work towards eradicating all forms of discrimination and creating a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.