California Gov. Newsom vetoes bill banning caste discrimination

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have banned discrimination based on caste, a system of social hierarchy prevalent in South Asia. Newsom deemed the bill unnecessary, stating that existing laws already prohibit such discrimination. The bill had garnered support from Dalits, caste-oppressed people of South Asian descent, as well as members of the Oaxacan and Indigenous communities who have faced discrimination under a similar system. Some Hindu Americans, including those with ties to right-wing Hindu nationalist groups in India, opposed the bill, claiming it singled them out. Advocates for the bill had been on a hunger strike and held rallies in support. Despite the veto, they remain committed to fighting discrimination and raising awareness about caste-based biases.