HinduPACT Leads Charge as Thousands of Indian American Businesses and Hindu Temples Unite to Oppose California’s SB 403 Caste Bill

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
CALIFORNIA- Major Hindu and Indian businesses and temples have united to issue the following statement to oppose the proposed California Caste Bill SB 403. The bill, introduced by State Senator Aisha Wahab seeks to amend the anti-discrimination policy under the Unruh Civil Rights Act by adding caste as a protected category.

The above statement opposes the proposed California Caste Bill SB 403, which seeks to add caste as a protected category under the anti-discrimination policy of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. The signatories to this statement, including the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the Asian American Store Owners Association (AASOA), the Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC), the Hindu Business Network (HBN), and the Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT), united in opposition to the bill for several reasons.

According to the statement, the bill presents a broad and convoluted definition of “caste” and perpetuates a colonial narrative introduced by Portuguese and promoted by British colonialists. The bill is also seen as leading to harassment, discrimination, bullying, and violence against Hindus. The signatories believe that the bill is based on unsubstantiated data and an unproven court case, and that the existing laws in California are sufficient to address any instance of discrimination.

The leaders of these organizations, including Kalpesh Joshi, Vipul Patel, Tejal Shah, Nirav Patel, and Ajay Shah, spoke out against the bill, stating that it will negatively impact Hindu and Indian businesses and will lead to politically and religiously motivated lawsuits. They also expressed concern that the bill will legitimize the assault on Hindu customs and traditions, and will lead to bullying and discrimination against children and youth from the Indian Subcontinent who follow Hinduism.

The signatories to the statement urge the Senate Judiciary Committee of the California legislature to reject SB 403, as they believe it to be harmful, unnecessary, and based on a false narrative.