Westminster Conference

Caste & UK Discrimination Law

CasteWatchUK held its conference on Tuesday 6th November, 2007 on raising awareness about Caste Discrimination occurring in the UK. The conference was held at The Palace of Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA.....
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Sandwell Conference
Fighting Caste Discrimination in the UK

Held on Sunday, 15th July 2007, at Sandwell Council House, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3DE. The conference brought together scholars, social activists, academics and community leaders  to address topics ....
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Press Releases

CasteWatchUK conference held on 30th August 2008 at University of Aston, Birmingham adopts resolution

To urge British Government to take action against Caste Discrimination

See Conference Resolution
 

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Messages

CasteWatchUK is interested to hear from you, especially, if you have been a victim of Caste discrimination. You may have been a victim of Caste name-calling, or you may have been bullied or your personal relationships have may been threatened or affected. Alternatively, you may know someone who has been affected by Caste. We would like to hear from you.

Please click here to leave a message.

  What is Caste Discrimination?
 

 Caste Discrimination (Casteism) is worse than racial discrimination.

Caste is associated primarily with cultures of the Indian sub-continent. The term ‘Caste’ itself is not an Indian one, coming from the Portuguese casta, meaning ‘race’ or ‘pure stock’. Indians themselves do not have a single term for describing the Caste system as a whole, but have a variety of words referring to different aspects of it, the two main ones being varna and jati.

The varna consists of four categories, each ranked differently in terms of social honour. Below these groupings are the so-called ‘untouchables’- those in the lowest position of all. The Jati are locally defined groups within which the caste ranks are organised. Jati is coupled with one’s occupation and the meaning of varna in Sanskrit is ‘colour’ that signify a social category or a social classification. It is used to enforce a social stratification but does not mean colour of skin.

According to those who practice and promote it, Caste is determined by birth and cannot be changed. In a class based system there is 'vertical mobility' but this is denied in a Caste based system.  In India, Social Stratification, historically, gave rise to 'Untouchables'. Although, practice of Untouchability is legally prohibited in India but 'Untouchables' continue to be shunned socially and economically. Each Caste continues in a state of social paralysis antagonistic and hostile towards each other's interests.

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   Latest News
 

University of Aston CasteWatchUK conference  held on  30th August 2008 at  University of Aston, Birmingham                             Read more...

 

 
   Thus spake Ambedkar...
 

    Caste Away Arts
 

CasteAwayArts is the artistic wing of CasteWatchUK

 
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    Conference
 
Conference 2004
Messages
Q and A Panel
Conference 2007
Westminster Conference
Sandwell Conference
How can you help CasteWatchUK ?

You can help by becoming a member of CasteWatchUK and join a team of committed volunteers who not only have a sense of social responsibility but also see it as their duty to promote social equality and social justice.

Please download the CasteWatchUK membership form , fill it in and  send it with your membership subscription to CasteWatchUK, PO Box 3685, Coventry, CV6 4WA.
 

You can also send us email expressing your interest. read more