CasteWatchUK was formed in 2003.  It was formally launched in July 2004 and registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission in February 2005.  Building on the momentum created by the BBC Radio 4 programme broadcast in April and again in May 2003 entitled ‘Caste Divide in Britain,  CasteWatchUK has been in the forefront in raising awareness of Caste based Discrimination occurring in the UK.

CasteWatchUK has achieved national and international recognition as the one of the leading champions of Caste related issues in UK. It works alone and in partnership with a number of  academic institutions, politicians, community groups and  organisations promoting the rights of those who are victims of caste discrimination in the UK, including the Dalit Solidarity Network (UK) and Voice of Dalit International to tackle Caste based Discrimination in the UK.

CasteWatchUK’s achievements include our:

·          input into the “Strength In Diversity Consultations” Home Office White Paper consultation in 2004

·         constructive meeting with the Department for Education and Skills in March 2005 to raise awareness of Casteism

·         key input into the Department for International Development (DFID) / DSN organised conference in October 04 and again on 27 June 2007 in seminar at DFID to raise awareness about the plight of Dalits in India and the need for the British Government to effectively target international aid.

·         lobbying of 200 MPs by letter asking them to signup to an Early Day Motion (EDM) 346 in 2004 on Caste issues. This contributed to a 12½% increase in the MPs signing up in support of the EDM.

·         participation in a number of  live radio discussions on Caste including on Sangat Radio, under the topic  “Does Casteism have a place in Sikhism”, BBC Network discussions on report by Human Rights Watch about the hidden apartheid of Discrimination against Dalits in India.

·         participation in the SOAS Conference on Caste and its impact on the Valmiki community.

·         formation of CasteAwayArts in February 2006 as an arts wing of CasteWatchUK which began work on a play based on real life experiences of Caste Discrimination.

·         collaboration with Dalit Solidarity Network (UK) in 2007 to formulate the strategy to make submission to the Parliamentary Discrimination Law Review. 

·         successful conference in July 2007 at the Sandwell Conference under the theme ‘Fighting Caste Discrimination in the UK’.

·         submission to the Cohesion and Faiths Unit, Communities and Local Government in response to their questionnaire on Caste in the UK in August 2007.

·         successful conference at the Palace of Westminster under the theme  ‘Caste and UK Discrimination Law’ in November 2007 which attracted over 100 participants and three MP speakers

·         participation in the Annual General Meeting of West Midland Branch of Trade Union “Unison” in December 2007 and where we successfully raised awareness about Caste Discrimination in places of employment in the UK.

·         arts wing – CasteAwayArt’s – first play ‘The Fifth Cup’ shown at the Drum theatre in Birmingham.

Some of the key dates in the history of CasteWatchUK’s campaign to end Caste Discrimination in UK

2003

April 2003

Broadcast of BBC Radio 4 Documentary “Caste Divide”

2004

February 2004

CasteWatchUK participates at conference at SOAS organised by VIBES (Young Valmikis)

Issue of Caste discrimination raised by CasteWatchUK at National Level in academic arena for the first time. Dr Julia lends support to CasteWatchUK

April 2004

CasteWatchUK included in Dr Julia Leslie’s VIBES Conference (SOAS) report. This report was circulated throughout UK’s Educational circles.

July 2004

CasteWatchUK formal launch at a conference at St Mary’s Guild Hall, Coventry. The launch is publicised in a number of magazines and papers: