TDSB wants to ban caste-based discrimination. It’s a thorny issue in South Asian communities with some applauding the school board’s move to address it, and others fearful it will fuel discord.
“This oppression impacts communities across Ontario,” said Trustee Yalini Rajakulasingam as she presented what she calls a “historic” motion. “We have heard of numerous and grave cases of caste inequity.”
In Toronto, and throughout the diaspora, there are “documented cases of caste-based discrimination” according to the motion, which notes that one’s caste may be identified by a last name, family occupation, area of origin and diet. It also notes that outing oneself can be unsafe when caste-based discrimination isn’t recognized.
He urged the board to send the message that it is not “fixated with divisive oppressor-oppressed politics,” adding if groups feel discriminated against, they can file a complaint with the OHRC, but said that “the TDSB should not be acting as their agent.” Just three weeks ago, she publicly shared that she is from an oppressed caste and has since endured “many attempts to silence and intimidate” her.
“Our human rights department will take any complaint or concern that comes forward and treat it with seriousness,” she said, adding if staff don’t fully understand a situation they will seek out more information. So it was amended to seek input from the OHRC, explained Sriskandarajah of Ward 22 saying “the board doesn’t want to get it wrong.” The change won the support of some trustees, but not all. Opposed were Trustees Pei, Dennis Hastings of Ward 1 , James Li of Ward 13 , Patrick Nunziata of Ward 3 and Zakir Patel of Ward 19 .
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