Casteism in the UK

Similar to the class system in the UK, South Asians are attributed a caste from birth. In both cases, these systems can help or hinder a person's social opportunities.  A person’s caste can impact work, education, and access to resources. Unlike the class system, the caste system does not allow any opportunity to move between these society-imposed levels. 

 

The Asian Impact 

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In the 2021 England and Wales Census, 9.3% of the population identified as Asian. Combined with 2.7% of the population of Scotland identifying as Asian and just under 1% of Northern Ireland’s population; the UK Asian population represents the largest ethnic minority group in the UK. Incredibly, the Asian population in the UK is also therefore larger than the population of Scotland.  
 

Moreover, of these approximately 5.7 million people, the vast majority identified as South Asian (approximately 4 million). Often located in cities such as London, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Birmingham, Preston, and Blackburn; the UK Asian population also totals more than all other ethnic minority groups combined. With South Asians also representing one quarter of the global population, any commonly held cultural attitudes can have a significant impact and understandably deserves our attention.  
 
 

It’s Not Just a South Asian Issue 

 

Whether in Japan, Morocco or Mali, casteism can be found. Though often unacknowledged, this unfair system of supremacy, which runs contrary to British and particularly Christian values, is likely to be being used by many ethnic communities within the UK. Caste systems are known to exist in many parts of the world including in Korea, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia. Often internalised and unspoken, these secret forms of discrimination often affect the most economically disadvantaged. 

 

Furthermore, women and girls judged to be of an inferior caste, can also be disproportionately trafficked. In the UK, trafficking is on the increase. An understanding of caste could support with better detection. Without us understanding the cultural barriers of ethnic minorities in the UK, we risk becoming blinded to cases of abuse that are happening within the UK. 
 

Caste discrimination has been identified in numerous sectors of UK society. A report commissioned by the UK government in 2010 identified discrimination in education, healthcare, employment and in religious institutions. Immigration has greatly increased since then. How likely are cases of discrimination to have increased?  Incidences of violence related to casteism have been known, though a lack of cultural understanding may be preventing proper identification.

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Potentially more dangerous, are the fears of being accused of racism or cultural insensitivity causing the UK’s political parties and other establishments to be complicit in propping up caste discrimination? In 2013, the UK Government had promised to provide for caste as an aspect of race under the Equality Act, consequently making caste discrimination illegal. However, in 2018 they changed their mind. Following the end of British rule, the Indian Government made caste discrimination illegal. This was partly because some in India believed that whilst India’s caste system was based in Hinduism, extreme division and caste was created and fostered under British rule.  The question must arise, why is caste discrimination illegal in India but not in the UK despite Asians now outnumbering the Scottish population? What opportunities are there for political parties, religious leaders and educational establishments to work together on this? 

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