Explore the origins of the caste system, rooted in political and economic factors rather than purity, pollution, or race.

Discrimination against individuals based on caste would seem to be a relic of the past. Even in India, where the caste system was most rigid, the practice has been officially banned since 1950.

Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues ...

(RNS) — As more institutions adopt policies against caste discrimination, disagreements about caste's prevalence among those in the Hindu diaspora are stronger than ever. (RNS) — Nearly a decade ago, ...

Gov. Gavin Newsom has a decision to make. A bill passed out of the California legislature awaits his signature, banning so-called “caste” discrimination. The bill’s backers allege rampant, systemic ...

Dr. S. Anandhi, a professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies in India, discussed class division for the lowest class, the Dalits’ and women’s rights in a talk titled, “The Pandemic of ...

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...

Why do people defend social systems that oppress them? Why do the marginalized sometimes work to uphold structures and arrangements that limit their potential? These questions are not just ...

The debate over how, or even whether, to fight discrimination based on caste — an ancient social ranking system associated with the Hindu religion — is heating up in California. As Governor Newsom is ...