California Governor vetoes anti-caste discrimination bill

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a recently passed anti-caste discrimination bill, stating that laws already exist in the state to prohibit such discrimination.

The decision has garnered support from a significant portion of the Indian-American community, who opposed the bill on similar grounds.

Governor Newsom emphasised California's commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect, irrespective of their background, beliefs, or characteristics.

He pointed out that existing state laws prohibit discrimination based on various factors, including sex, race, colour, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. As caste-based discrimination is already covered under these categories, Newsom deemed the new bill unnecessary.

The bill, known as 'SB403,' had passed with a substantial majority in both the California State Assembly's House of Representatives and Senate. It aimed to expand the definition of "ancestry" within the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Unruh Act, and the Education Code to include "caste" and other aspects of ancestry.

Opponents of the bill, including a significant section of the Indian-American community, celebrated Governor Newsom's decision. They viewed it as a preventive measure against targeting the South Asian community and Hindus in the state.

Castefiles, an organisation, hailed the governor's action as historic, recognising that it averted what they considered a disaster for civil rights and constitutional rights. They highlighted the importance of the democratic process and the voice of the people in shaping policy decisions.

Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation, commended the veto, stating that it prevented a civil rights and constitutional disaster that could have adversely affected numerous Californians based on their ethnicity or religious identity.

Leading Democrat Ajay Bhutoria expressed his gratitude to Governor Newsom for vetoing the bill, considering it a momentous development. Bhutoria, along with Rakesh Kapur, had urged the governor to veto the bill during a Democratic National Committee (DNC) event in Chicago.

Governor Newsom's decision was influenced by concerns that the bill could have divisive consequences within the Indian-American community and potentially promote negative sentiments towards India. While ideologically supportive of the bill, he chose to veto it to avoid further division.

Equality Lab, Senator Wahab, and other organisations that had advocated for the bill have not yet responded to the veto. Some of these groups had conducted a hunger strike to push for the bill's enactment into law, but concerns were raised about potential financial interests and divisive sentiments.

Governor Newsom's veto highlighted the importance of constructive dialogue within the Indian-American community.