California's Historic Anti-Caste Discrimination Bill Passes Legislature

California has moved closer to becoming the first U.S. state to ban caste discrimination after a bill targeting the caste system in South Asian immigrant communities passed the state Assembly. The legislation, introduced by state Senator Aisha Wahab, adds caste to the list of categories protected under California's anti-discrimination laws. The bill is expected to pass the state Senate before heading to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. Activists argue that caste discrimination should be outlawed, comparing it to other forms of discrimination like racism. The issue is particularly important to Americans of Indian descent and Hindus. The caste system, one of the world's oldest forms of social stratification, continues to perpetuate bias and abuse, despite being outlawed in India over 70 years ago.