The Indian caste system is a centuries-old social hierarchy that has caused millions of people to suffer and be discriminated against. Caste discrimination is deeply embedded in Indian society and has been passed down through generations, with individuals born into a specific caste having their social status and opportunities dictated by it. This has resulted in a variety of discriminatory practices, including segregation, exclusion, and violence against those from lower castes.Even though it was officially abolished in India in 1955, the caste system’s impact has not been limited to India. Indeed, as a result of globalisation and cross-border migration, the caste system has spread to other parts of the world, including California. It is a deplorable reality that demands immediate attention and action.California is much more diverse than other US states, with a diversity score of 96 out of 100. Nonetheless, given that the state’s Indian minority makes up a very small portion of its population, it is astonishing to observe the prevalence of caste systems in society. Now, California lawmakers are taking a bold step towards addressing caste discrimination by introducing legislation that would include caste as a protected class under the state’s anti-discrimination laws.If the Bill is passed, California will be the first state in the United States to prohibit caste discrimination. The bill would explicitly prohibit caste discrimination and include it as a protected category in already existing anti-discrimination laws. This move would benefit a large South Asian population in California, which is home to some of the world’s largest technology companies.Despite its reputation as a land of diversity and inclusion, the caste system has taken root in California. Even in the United States, members of the Indian diaspora continue to perpetuate caste-based discrimination, resulting in a situation in which individuals are denied opportunities and subjected to prejudice based on their caste identity.Tamil Nadu’s success in promoting social justiceHowever, simply passing legislation is insufficient to address the deeply ingrained practices of caste discrimination. To truly promote social justice, the California government must look to successful governance models that have been implemented in other parts of the world. The Dravidian model of governance, which has been widely recognised for its success in promoting social justice in Tamil Nadu, is the best model. With its principles of equality, justice, and collective decision-making, the Dravidian model of governance emphasises the importance of community participation in decision-making and promotes policies that aim to uplift marginalised communities.The Justice Party was instrumental in the early years of the Dravidian movement by providing a forum for non-Brahmin leaders to express their grievances and demand greater representation in government and public life. During its tenure in power, the Justice Party enacted a number of policies aimed at promoting social justice and equality. The introduction of the Communal Government Order (CGO) in 1921 was one of the key initiatives. This order aimed to increase non-Brahmin community representation in government jobs, particularly in education and administration.This was done to address a long-standing imbalance in the representation of various communities in government jobs, which had been heavily skewed in favour of Brahmins and other upper-caste groups. Even before the inclusion of equality laws in the Indian Constitution, the CGO was a significant step towards promoting social justice and equality in Tamil Nadu, The model was so far ahead in advocating for social equality.The first Tamil Nadu backward classes commission, chaired by A.N. Sattanathan and established by M. Karunanidhi, was formed to identify and recommend methods for the social, educational, and economic development of the state’s backward classes.The panel highlighted in its 1970 report that, within the backward castes, there existed an upper crust or dominating group that had grabbed a major share of the benefits of reservation policy and had effectively impeded the development of the real backward castes.In 1974, Karunanidhi also introduced a white paper on job reservation in the state assembly. The White Paper was a detailed document that detailed the state’s job reservation strategy, including the amount of reserved seats in various government departments and public-sector undertakings.Thus, Karunanidhi recognised the significance of reservation policy in promoting social mobility and rectifying historical injustices. He worked relentlessly for lower-caste rights and advocated for reservation policies to be extended to the private sector. As the legacy of the Dravidian movement, M.K. Stalin’s commitment to social justice and equality has been recognised on a national and international level. He has been an outspoken supporter of the Dalit community, one of India’s most marginalised and oppressed groups, and has spoken out against caste-based discrimination and violence.Stalin’s dedication to the Dravidian movement’s ideals as well as his efforts to promote social justice and equality have inspired activists and movements fighting caste-based oppression and discrimination in India and around the world. His ability to bring together and keep together a diverse group of political activists and leaders who shared the Dravidian movement’s goals was one of his most important contributions to the Dravidian movement.The model has always stood for the welfare of its migrants, even in the recent disinformation issue of spreading false news with an intent to create enmity between locals and non-Tamil-speaking migrant workers. But the state handled the issue with a great concern for maintaining the harmony of the country, and it stood by the side of the migrant workers who had come with a belief in the state. The Stalin government has gone one step ahead by portraying its support through the execution of its most recent programme, “Makkalai thedi Maruthuvam“, which also benefits the migrant labourers. In a similar vein, it is encouraging that California’s lawmakers are concerned about the discrimination of its immigrants.The government also ensures that the principles of ellorukkum elamum are promoted, which means that everyone should get everything in all of the government’s schemes, which once again insists that we are all equal and equal before the law.The model has even spoken out against the reservation for Economically Weaker Sections, arguing the additional benefits that the superior castes would obtain as a result. So, the California government can gain insights into how to effectively promote social justice and address issues of inequality and discrimination by referring to the Dravidian model of governance.Sivasooriyan Murugan, advocate, LLM at the Queen Mary University of London.
