SEATTLE (Diya TV) — A US court has upheld Seattle’s ban on caste discrimination, dismissing claims that a law passed by the City Council on February 21, 2023 violated the US First and Fourteenth Amendments. The ruling, issued on March 8, marks a milestone in the ongoing caste discrimination debate and sets a precedent for similar bans in other US jurisdictions.
The court, by affirming Seattle’s ordinance against caste discrimination, rejected arguments that it infringed upon Hindu religious practices or discriminated against any religious group. This ruling is a significant win for advocates combating caste-based discrimination.
The court’s order addressed questions regarding the neutrality of caste discrimination bans and their impact on religious practices. It stated such bans are facially neutral and do not impinge upon Hindu religious beliefs.
Seattle’s ordinance added “caste” as a protected class under anti-discrimination laws. The legal challenge to this ordinance, brought forth by a North Carolina resident, sought to undermine its validity. However, the court found the plaintiff’s arguments lacking in merit, emphasizing that the ordinance serves a legitimate governmental interest in preventing discrimination.
The ruling also addressed concerns about the ordinance’s compliance with the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It affirmed that the ordinance does not discriminate on its face and is not motivated by racial or ethnic animus.
