Advocates and Lawmakers Push for Landmark Anti-Caste Legislation in New York

 

Advocates and Lawmakers 

Push for Landmark 

Anti-Caste Legislation in New York

ALBANY, NY — Advocacy groups and state legislators are intensifying their push for a historic bill that would make New York the first state in the nation to explicitly ban caste discrimination. The proposed legislation, currently moving through the state capital as of May 2026, aims to close a legal loophole that advocates say leaves thousands of South Asian and other caste-oppressed New Yorkers vulnerable to bias in the workplace and housing.

The Legislation

The twin bills—Assembly Bill A6920, sponsored by Assemblymember Steven Raga, and Senate Bill S6531, sponsored by Senator James Sanders Jr.—would amend the New York State Executive Law. The change would add "caste" to the list of protected classes alongside race, creed, color, and national origin.

Under the bill’s definition, caste is described as a "graded social hierarchical structure" that assigns status and privileges based on birth. If passed, the law would prohibit caste-based discrimination in:

Employment: Hiring, promotions, and workplace harassment.

Housing: Real estate transactions, rentals, and credit applications.

Public Spaces: Access to hotels, restaurants, and other public accommodations.

Why Now?

While caste discrimination is often associated with South Asia, advocates argue it has "traveled" with the diaspora to the United States. During a recent press conference at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens, Assembly member Raga noted that as communities grow, so do reports of caste-based exclusion.

Advocates point to a 2018 lawsuit involving a Dalit Nepali worker in New York City as a turning point. The worker alleged harassment and job loss after his caste was discovered, but the New York State Division of Human Rights dismissed the complaint, stating that caste was not a protected category under existing law.

"This bill is about something very simple," Raga said. "Ensuring that no one is denied opportunity, dignity, or safety just because of the circumstances of their birth."

Debate and Opposition

The bill has sparked significant debate within the South Asian community:

Supporters: Groups like Hindus for Human Rights argue that anti-caste measures are a matter of moral clarity and civil rights. They emphasize that the bill does not target any specific religion but rather protects individuals from inherited social hierarchies.

Opponents: Organizations such as the Hindu American Foundation have expressed concerns that the bill could unfairly target people of Indian descent. They argue that caste discrimination is already covered under "national origin" protections and that creating a specific category could lead to profiling.

National Context

If New York passes the measure, it would join a growing list of U.S. institutions taking a stand. Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination in 2023, and several university systems, including the California State University (CSU), have added caste to their non-discrimination policies. A similar bill was passed by the California legislature in 2023 but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom; New York advocates hope for a different outcome in Albany.

The bill is currently referred to the Investigations and Government Operations Committee in the Senate and the Governmental Operations Committee in the Assembly. Supporters are urging residents to contact their representatives as the legislative session progresses.