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CasteFiles condemns South Asian Bar Association for promoting Hinduphobia

During an event hosted by Professor Sonja Thomas and the South Asian Bar Association (SABA), Indian Americans who are against the inclusion of caste as a protected category were referred to as having "caste privilege."

CasteFiles, an online platform that challenges false caste and race narratives, has expressed strong opposition to the blanket labeling of Indian Americans who oppose adding caste as a protected category as having "caste privilege."

The observation was made during an event  titled “A Crash Course on Caste” presented by Professor Sonja Thomas and the South Asian Bar Association (SABA). In a letter sent to the Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA), the event's organizers, CasteFiles argued that "caste privilege" is not the only legitimate basis for bringing caste lawsuits, citing examples of numerous unprivileged individuals and organizations who are committed to the cause.

Examples included the Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB), which brings together people of all ages and genders from the Dalit and Bahujan communities in North America. Despite the fact that its members do not enjoy any "caste privilege," APNADB has fought against caste laws in both Seattle and California.

Milind Makwana, a well-known Indian American Dalit activist who had been fighting against caste discrimination laws in Seattle and California, who passed away from a heart attack on July 18, 2023, while fervently speaking out against these laws at a city council meeting in Cupertino, was also highlighted as an activist.

Richa Gautam, founder of CasteFiles said, “Sonja Thomas has frequently claimed without evidence that those opposing Caste law in the USA are automatically a privileged elite group." The organization also noted that the Illinois Comptroller's Office terminated Sarah Chowdhury, the president of the South Asian Bar Association, Chicago (SABA Chicago), on October 19, 2023, for making virulently anti-Semitic comments on social media. Sarah Chowdhury was subsequently removed from her role as president of SABA Chicago.

 

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