History of CasteWatchUK

CasteWatchUK came into being in 2003. Building on the momentum created by the BBC Radio 4 programme broadcast in April and again in May 2003 entitled ‘Caste Divide in Britain; CasteWatchUK has been in on the forefront to create awareness of Caste based Discrimination occurring in the UK.

 CasteWatchUK has achieved national and internationally recognition  as the champion of caste related issues in UK. Media, academic institutions, politicians, community groups and Dalit organisations always contact CasteWatchUK on Caste related issues. Dalit Solidarity Network (UK) and Voice of Dalit International are now working in partnership to tackle caste based discrimination in the UK.

CasteWatchUK,

• Held a historic first meeting with the Dept for Education and Skills in March 2005.

• Took part in the “Strength In Diversity Consultations” Home Office White Paper consultation in 2004.

• Took part in a fringe meeting of the Labour Party Conference at Brighton in September 04

• Provided  key input into the DFID / DSN organised conference in October 04 and again on 27^th June 2007.

• Sent letters to 200 MPs regarding the 2004 Early Day Motion 346, resulting in a signup increase of 12½%.

• Took part in a live radio discussion on Sangat Radio, under the topic  “Does Casteism have a place in Sikhism”.

• Took part in the SOAS Conference on Caste and its impact on the Valmiki community.

• Held a national conference and launched CasteWatchUK at St. Marys Guildhall, Coventry, on 3^rd July 2004.

• Published article(s) in the New Humanist

• In February 2007 participated on BBC Asian Network – to take part in an interview about Caste related issues in UK further to a report about Hidden Apartheid of discrimination against Dalits in India released by Human Rights Watch.

• In February, 2007 collaborated with Dalit Solidarity Network (UK) to formulate the strategy to make submission to the Parliamentary Discrimination Law Review.

• In June 2007, attended a seminar at the Department for International Development to raise awareness about the plight of Dalits in India and the need for the British Government to effectively target international aid.

• In July 2007, participated in an hour long live BBC Asian Network Debate on Caste Discrimination in the UK.

• In July held the Sandwell Conference under the theme ‘Fighting Caste Discrimination in the UK’.

• In August 2007, made a submission to the Cohesion and Faiths Unit, Communities and Local Government in response to their questionnaire on Caste in the UK.

• In November held  the historic conference at the Palace of Westminster under the theme  ‘Caste and UK Discrimination Law’

• In December attended the Annual General Meeting of West Midland branch of Trade Union “Unison” and raised awareness about caste discrimination in places of employment in UK.

• In December 2007, the Cultural wing CasteAwayArts visited many the Sikh, Hindu and Islamic places of worship in Coventry & Birmingham to publicise the play “The Fifth Cup”. Coverage of the play was given in the Sikh Times, Birmingham Mail, ICONZ Asian magazine, BBC Asian Network, BBC West Midlands and Raj Radio.