This experience of untouchability was shared by a mother in Sydney, a member of the Indian diaspora who identifies as belonging to the Chamar caste. Untouchability refers to the practice that views any interaction—social, physical, or cultural—with the lowest castes (Dalits) as polluting or unclean.
Children from our community are not allowed to participate in birthday parties alongside their peers; instead, they must wait outside during the rituals. They are aware of our caste identity, which shapes their perceptions of us.
“We are considered untouchables. If we partake in their rituals, it is believed that we will contaminate them and the rituals themselves.”
This personal account was collected during a national community consultation project focused on caste discrimination, which aims to document caste oppression within the South Asian diaspora. The project is spearheaded by caste-oppressed groups such as Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha and Ambedkar International Mission in collaboration with the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission.
As the research lead for this project, I discovered that caste discrimination extends beyond interpersonal and intercultural conflicts; it is systemic and deeply embedded, constituting a form of intersectional racial discrimination.
Caste is a social hierarchy that categorizes individuals into four main castes and a fifth group of untouchables—Dalits—based on concepts of purity and pollution prevalent in South Asian cultures, particularly among Hindus.
Through face-to-face interviews with 146 Dalits across major cities in Australia, I encountered harrowing accounts of discrimination experienced by both children and adults in educational institutions and workplaces. These experiences included physical assaults, threats of sexual violence, and the use of caste-based slurs.
Social exclusion is also evident through active socioeconomic boycotts against businesses and individuals marked by any indicators of Dalit identity, leading to exclusion and alienation. In Australia, there are both subtle and overt methods of identifying someone’s caste, with inquiries about religious practices, dietary preferences, and last names being common.
The experiences of oppressed individuals do not begin solely with their identification as Dalits or in adulthood. When migrating from South Asia to Australia, Dalits often face the dilemma of either passing as upper-caste individuals or confronting casteism when their identity becomes known.
Many choose to change their last names—often the most recognizable marker of caste—to those typical of upper-caste families. Others may abandon cultural and religious identifiers that reveal their caste background.
For many, discussing their experiences of discrimination and bias was challenging; some initially denied experiencing discrimination but later revealed their truths during the interviews. Many preferred to meet in private settings. For example, in one group interview, a senior citizen attempted to silence others from sharing their experiences of discrimination but later disclosed that she and her husband had to create a separate worship space due to differential treatment.
Participants reported negative effects on their mental health, indicating that discrimination led to distress and depression. One participant expressed, “It undermines your intrinsic belief in your abilities, which has a more profound long-term impact than any immediate loss of opportunities.”
I also belong to a caste-oppressed community, coming from a Dalit slum in India. Hearing the stories of my community deeply affected my mental well-being, revealing the disturbing extent of casteism in Australia.
So, how can casteism be addressed? The report proposes a comprehensive approach that begins with acknowledging its existence, prohibiting caste discrimination under current anti-discrimination laws, and fostering an anti-caste culture throughout Australian society.
Efforts to combat casteism must be grounded in evidence. This report provides essential data that has been rigorously analyzed to advocate for a federal ban on caste-based discrimination, viewed through the lenses of multiculturalism and intersectionality.