A socio-economic survey initiated by Karnataka state in southern India has become controversial after the state prevented Christians from entering their caste, following opposition from Hindu groups.

An Indian court has denied Christians of Dalit origin legal protections meant for lower caste people, saying a person who converted to Christianity cannot claim to be a member of a lower caste group.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced that the controversial “Christian” nomenclature utilised in the draft list of castes prepared by the State Backward Classes Commission had ...

In India, every living thing is seen as having features intrinsic to its "birth" (jat). Among people, there are roughly 3000 separate "birth groups" or "castes" (jatis), each so ethnically distinct ...

Discrimination against individuals based on caste would seem to be a relic of the past. Even in India, where the caste system was most rigid, the practice has been officially banned since 1950.

Caste is an ancient system of social hierarchy based on one’s birth that is tied to concepts of purity and social status. Its history, evolution and current state are complicated. A move to outlaw ...

Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues ...

If we stand next to one another, Thenmozhi Soundararajan and I look alike. We both have Indian immigrant roots and are the products of marriages between Hindu fathers and Christian mothers. We share ...

Why do people defend social systems that oppress them? Why do the marginalized sometimes work to uphold structures and arrangements that limit their potential? These questions are not just ...