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| Anti-caste discrimination reforms blocked, say critics | Anti-caste discrimination reforms blocked, say critics |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The government has been accused of deliberately delaying moves to outlaw caste discrimination despite agreeing to extend legal protection to the tens of thousands of people in the UK who are from traditionally lower status Asian backgrounds. | The government has been accused of deliberately delaying moves to outlaw caste discrimination despite agreeing to extend legal protection to the tens of thousands of people in the UK who are from traditionally lower status Asian backgrounds. |
| In April, after two defeats in the House of Lords, the government yielded to calls to amend the Equality Act 2010 and treat caste as "an aspect of race". The victory delighted campaigners who had claimed the amendment was vital to prevent discrimination at work, in the classroom and in the health service. | In April, after two defeats in the House of Lords, the government yielded to calls to amend the Equality Act 2010 and treat caste as "an aspect of race". The victory delighted campaigners who had claimed the amendment was vital to prevent discrimination at work, in the classroom and in the health service. |
| But on Monday, the department for Culture Media and Sport, which deals with equality issues, announced that the consultation and legislative process would probably last until summer 2015, saying employers, public authorities and the judiciary would need to be involved in the discussions. | But on Monday, the department for Culture Media and Sport, which deals with equality issues, announced that the consultation and legislative process would probably last until summer 2015, saying employers, public authorities and the judiciary would need to be involved in the discussions. |
| The timetable suggests the legislation is unlikely to be in place before for the next general election, leading some to accuse the Conservatives of trying to "kick the whole idea into the long grass". | The timetable suggests the legislation is unlikely to be in place before for the next general election, leading some to accuse the Conservatives of trying to "kick the whole idea into the long grass". |
| Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat member of the all-party parliamentary group for Dalits (the caste formerly known as untouchables), said the scheduling was proof of the Tories' enduring opposition to introducing legal protection on caste. | Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat member of the all-party parliamentary group for Dalits (the caste formerly known as untouchables), said the scheduling was proof of the Tories' enduring opposition to introducing legal protection on caste. |
| "I suspect that the objective is to lengthen the process so that it stretches into the approach to the general election and then probably to announce that they will be introducing provisions in the manifesto to repeal the whole legislation," he said. | "I suspect that the objective is to lengthen the process so that it stretches into the approach to the general election and then probably to announce that they will be introducing provisions in the manifesto to repeal the whole legislation," he said. |
| He also pointed to a letter sent in May by Helen Grant, the minister for women and equalities, to Gauri Das of the Alliance of Hindu Organisations, which campaigned against the amendment. | He also pointed to a letter sent in May by Helen Grant, the minister for women and equalities, to Gauri Das of the Alliance of Hindu Organisations, which campaigned against the amendment. |
| In it, Grant wrote: "I made no secret at our meeting – and nor do I now – of my disappointment that it has been necessary for the government to concede to making an order to include caste as an element of race in the Equality Act 2010 following the further defeat in the house of Lords …" | |
| The letter prompted Avebury to report Grant to the prime minister for what he considers to be a breach of the ministerial code, which requires ministers to maintain "a united front when decisions have been reached". Avebury, who described the Tory approach to a simple amendment as "taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut", said the government had a duty to get on with changing the law as soon as possible. | |
| "Having agreed to fall in with the proposals we were making [in April] after being defeated twice on the floor of the house, they can't back off and say that they didn't agree and they want some alternative solution," he said. "It's too late for that." | |
| Ravi Kumar, general secretary of the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance, called on the government to think of the victims of caste discrimination and get the legislation in place by the end of the year. | Ravi Kumar, general secretary of the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance, called on the government to think of the victims of caste discrimination and get the legislation in place by the end of the year. |
| "Helen Grant's office has confirmed what we feared most – they have no interest in the equality of treatment and opportunity when it comes to actual and future victims of caste-based discrimination in this country," he said. | "Helen Grant's office has confirmed what we feared most – they have no interest in the equality of treatment and opportunity when it comes to actual and future victims of caste-based discrimination in this country," he said. |
| "The protracted timetable that will extend to summer 2015 for implementation of a piece of legislation agreed in April 2013 will no doubt see the implementation run into the next election." | "The protracted timetable that will extend to summer 2015 for implementation of a piece of legislation agreed in April 2013 will no doubt see the implementation run into the next election." |
| Kumar said: "It seems to us she has listened to the anti-legislation lobby's calls to halt the legislation." | Kumar said: "It seems to us she has listened to the anti-legislation lobby's calls to halt the legislation." |
| The Alliance of Hindu Organisations said it was delighted the government had heeded the views of "the majority British Hindu community" and allowed a full period of consultation, but added more research on caste discrimination ought to be done. | The Alliance of Hindu Organisations said it was delighted the government had heeded the views of "the majority British Hindu community" and allowed a full period of consultation, but added more research on caste discrimination ought to be done. |
| "There are many issues of concern over this legislation and a proper period is needed to ensure that these issues are fully addressed," said a spokesman. | "There are many issues of concern over this legislation and a proper period is needed to ensure that these issues are fully addressed," said a spokesman. |
| The DCMS said it was "entirely wrong" to suggest ministers had acted inappropriately on the introduction of caste discrimination legislation, adding that Grant had met both sides for discussions. | The DCMS said it was "entirely wrong" to suggest ministers had acted inappropriately on the introduction of caste discrimination legislation, adding that Grant had met both sides for discussions. |
| "We want to ensure the issue of caste in the UK is fully understood, and therefore it is right that the government and its ministers discuss the issue of caste with a wide range of groups and encourage everyone to participate in the consultation," said a spokeswoman. | "We want to ensure the issue of caste in the UK is fully understood, and therefore it is right that the government and its ministers discuss the issue of caste with a wide range of groups and encourage everyone to participate in the consultation," said a spokeswoman. |
| "There was strong agreement in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons that this is a sensitive and complex issue, and a comprehensive consultation is needed before any legislation can be implemented." | "There was strong agreement in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons that this is a sensitive and complex issue, and a comprehensive consultation is needed before any legislation can be implemented." |
| A report on the issue commissioned by the government three years ago estimated that there were between 50,000 and 200,000 people in Britain who are classified as low caste. The study, by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, identified evidence of discrimination, harassment and exclusion in schools, provision of services and in the workplace. | A report on the issue commissioned by the government three years ago estimated that there were between 50,000 and 200,000 people in Britain who are classified as low caste. The study, by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, identified evidence of discrimination, harassment and exclusion in schools, provision of services and in the workplace. |
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