Understanding Caste Discrimination in Diaspora: Building Dialogues and Allyship: A Personal Reflection by Dr Vikrant Kishore
- Vikrant Kishore
- 16 hours ago
- 9 min read
Dr Vikrant Kishore, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
Symposium Convener
3 November 2025, Melbourne, Australia
The symposium Understanding Caste Discrimination in Diaspora: Building Dialogues and Allyship, held at Melbourne, Australia on 3 November 2025, brought together academics, community leaders, journalists, and activists to engage with the continuing presence of caste discrimination within diasporic settings. As convener, I sought to establish an environment that encouraged reflection, honesty, and mutual respect. The event was intended as both a space for exchange and an opportunity to build new collaborations linking academic research, creative practice, and social engagement.
The day began with my welcome address, which invited participants to view caste as a social condition extending beyond the Indian subcontinent and into diasporic realities. I noted that caste discrimination remains embedded in communities across Australia, shaping access, belonging, and social interaction. I emphasized that this symposium, Understanding Caste Discrimination in Diaspora: Building Dialogues and Allyship, is not merely an academic gathering but a collective space of recognition and responsibility — recognition that caste continues to shape lives across continents, and responsibility to respond with awareness, solidarity, and action. Bringing together scholars, activists, and community leaders who share a belief in equality and human dignity, the session acknowledged that caste has travelled in silence, limiting opportunities and participation within Australian social and institutional life. I also noted that the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inclusion of caste within its National Anti-Racism Framework has provided an important impetus to openly discuss caste discrimination and to consider how policies can be shaped to address it. This symposium sought to extend that conversation by creating a shared space for reflection, understanding rather than division, and dialogue rather than confrontation — to explore how caste operates in workplaces, communities, and institutions, and how alliances across social, cultural, and faith boundaries can help challenge discrimination in all its forms.
Professor Hari Bapuji from the University of Melbourne, Australia delivered the keynote address titled Invisibility of Caste in the Australian Diaspora. He examined how caste continues to function as a system of inequality that persists largely because of its invisibility, not only due to the absence of physiological markers but also because of its amorphous and socially embedded nature. Drawing from his extensive research on the intersection of business and society, Professor Bapuji presented a framework to understand caste and render it visible within contexts where it is often denied or ignored. He discussed how caste manifests within Australian diasporic settings, influencing social interactions, workplace hierarchies, and access to opportunities, and outlined the challenges this invisibility poses for achieving equitable social outcomes. Emphasising that caste should not be seen as the concern of a single community but as a collective social issue, he urged that recognition and responsibility must underpin any effort to address it. His keynote grounded the symposium in a shared understanding that equality cannot be realized without confronting exclusion in all its subtle and structural forms.
Morning Discussions: Humanism, Gender, and Everyday Realities
The first panel, Breaking Barriers: Humanism, Self-Respect, and Social Cohesion in the Fight Against Caste, featured the Hon’ble Rajathi Salma, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha, India), and Advocate Arulmozhi from the Dravidar Kazhagam, India. Rajathi Salma MP opened the session with a self-composed poem that reflected on women’s marginalization, discrimination, and subjugation, setting an introspective tone for the discussion that followed.
Her words struck a chord with the audience and helped set the tone of the session. She reflected on how religion, caste and patriarchy sustain one another, and how writing can become a means of assertion. Advocate Arulmozhi expanded the discussion through examples of how discriminatory religious texts are cited in contemporary contexts to justify social hierarchies and judicial reasoning. She warned of the increasing normalization of regressive ideas in public life. Both speakers affirmed that the response to casteism must draw from humanist thought and collective action rather than symbolic gestures.
The second panel, Intersections of Caste, Class, and Identity in Womxn’s Liberation Movements, moderated by Nandini Sen Mehra of Hindus for Human Rights ANZ, presented a powerful exchange of perspectives. Nandini moderated with thoughtfulness, weaving her observations as an ally into the dialogue. She reflected on how allies from different backgrounds could collaborate to address discrimination. The panelists, Dr Ali Saha (Melbourne University), Madhu Kishore, and Minakshi Salave, explored how caste and class intersect in shaping women’s experiences in India and Australia. Dr Saha examined the limited visibility of Dalit voices in media spaces, while Madhu Kishore discussed the intergenerational consequences of caste-based trauma within families and institutions. Minakshi Salave shared her personal account of facing exclusion in education and professional life and her ongoing assertion of Dalit identity. The discussion reminded participants that the question of equality must be addressed collectively and intersectionally.
The third panel, Living Caste in the Diaspora: Everyday Experiences and Institutional Barriers, brought together Dr Rupali S. Bhamare (Monash University, Australia), Parag Bhagat, Sanchi Meshram, and Sushant Wanjari. Their testimonies offered a grounded account of how caste discrimination continues to shape the experiences of South Asians in Australia. The panellists explained that caste is no longer hidden behind polite conversation or subtle social cues; it often surfaces directly through questions about surnames, family backgrounds, and occupations, or through exclusionary behaviour in workplaces and social circles.
Dr Rupali Bhamare observed that caste prejudice is frequently dismissed as a cultural difference, allowing discrimination to persist unacknowledged within institutions. Sanchi Meshram reflected that silence is not a form of survival, stating that if friendships are lost over caste, “then it is better that way.” She described how even displaying Ambedkar’s photograph or attending Ambedkarite events can provoke discomfort among others. Sushant Wanjari spoke of the intersection of caste, class, gender, and migration status, calling such discrimination “an extreme form that must be resisted.” Parag Bhagat noted that while the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inclusion of caste within the National Anti-Racism Framework marks a necessary step, more work is required to ensure accountability within workplaces, universities, and community organisations.
Afternoon Session: Empowerment, Allyship, and Media Responsibility
The afternoon began with a plenary by Professor Catherine Gomes of RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, titled Creating Spaces: Why Empowerment of Migrant People Matters in Research. Professor Gomes addressed the current rise of anti-immigrant sentiment across the world, observing how xenophobic and racist expressions not only inflict physical and psychological harm but also influence policy decisions. She noted that this global hostility is particularly painful for individuals who have faced cultural and generational prejudice, often leading to their portrayal as vulnerable within academic writing. Raising a critical question, she asked whether framing migrant communities primarily through vulnerability risks reinforcing their marginalization. Drawing on her collaborative projects with migrant communities, Professor Gomes discussed the value of research practices that treat migrants as equal contributors in the creation of knowledge. Her address reaffirmed the importance of inclusive and participatory scholarship that encourages representation, respect, and agency in studies of migration and diversity.
The fourth panel, Caste Allyship and Anti-Caste Solidarity in Transnational Settings, opened with Digvijay Bagade’s presentation titled Born Equal, Treated Unequally: The Casteist Mindset That We Must Break. His observations addressed how caste-based attitudes travels across borders, drawing attention to the mindset that sustains social division. Giribala Thomas discussed the ethical dimensions of allyship and the necessity of empathy in sustaining partnerships across caste lines. Vastav Pradeep Bhagat reflected on generational change within Ambedkarite communities and the need to continue dialogues that engage younger audiences. Sandhya Ambade spoke about her work in maintaining the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak in Airoli, Navi Mumbai, describing it as an essential space for education and remembrance. She reflected on how such memorials can serve as shared grounds for conversation on discrimination, inviting participation from Indian and diasporic communities alike. Together, the speakers observed that casteism in Australia has moved from indirect to overt expression, making it impossible to ignore. The session called for increased awareness within institutions and for allyship grounded in ethics and mutual accountability.
The final panel, Media, Identity, and Representation in Australia’s South Asian Communities, featured Neeraj Nanda (South Asia Times), Deepak Joshi (NRI Affairs), and Dr Fotis Kapetopoulos (Neos Kosmos). The discussion examined how ethnic media can address caste and related social hierarchies more responsibly, and the role of journalism in advancing equity and inclusion within diasporic settings.
Deepak Joshi remarked that caste discrimination has long been disregarded by diaspora media, noting that conversations around equality and justice often exclude caste as a structural concern. He argued that responsible journalism must confront caste directly and consistently, rather than treating it as a peripheral or uncomfortable issue. Drawing from his experience as the founder of NRI Affairs and as a community advocate, Joshi observed that independent media outlets have a vital role in providing space for marginalised voices and shaping informed dialogue across the Indian diaspora.
Neeraj Nanda shared his personal challenges in covering Dalit-related stories, recounting how he is often questioned by members of the community whenever he raises caste issues or attends Ambedkarite events. He noted that people sometimes advise him not to “mingle with the Bheemis,” a slang term for Ambedkarites, which reflects how caste bias and social exclusion continue to operate within diasporic circles. Nanda also expressed concern about the casual use of caste-based slurs within the Indian-Australian community, which he has witnessed firsthand. His reflections reaffirmed that caste prejudice persists in new and subtle ways in the diaspora, highlighting the continuing need for ethical journalism and media accountability.
Dr Fotis Kapetopoulos expanded the discussion by drawing parallels between caste-based exclusion and class-based inequality within Greek and other migrant communities in Australia. He discussed how Neos Kosmos seeks to address such structural disparities and promote intercultural understanding through its reporting. His observations brought the conversation into a comparative framework, illustrating how ethnic media can challenge social hierarchies and contribute to inclusive public discourse across communities.
Screening and Closing Reflections
The symposium concluded with the screening of my documentary Resisting Cast(e)ism in Australia, which I describe as a personal ballad of resistance. The film examines how caste operates within Australia through first-hand interviews with individuals from Melbourne, Sydney, and Coffs Harbour. It documents the experiences of those who have encountered caste discrimination while raising questions about belonging, dignity, and justice. Conceived as a reflective piece, the film brings together personal and collective narratives of assertion and resilience. Its screening acted as both a creative expression and an extension of the symposium’s dialogue, prompting a collective pause for reflection and empathy.
In closing, I reflected on the wide range of insights shared throughout the day. The discussions and testimonies confirmed that caste discrimination in the diaspora is not a distant or abstract concern; it manifests in everyday interactions, workplaces, and community spaces. Participants spoke candidly of their experiences, one noting, “I have faced more caste discrimination in Australia than I did in India.” Another shared how an acquaintance withdrew all contact after noticing a photograph of Dr B. R. Ambedkar in their home, observing that “Ambedkar’s photo triggers dominant-caste people.” Others reflected on social exclusion and hatred within digital spaces. Speakers also discussed the persistence of prejudice in public life and media representation.
Such testimonies reveal how caste continues to shape belonging and perception even within communities that identify as progressive or multicultural. As one participant powerfully remarked, “Caste is a virus; its solution lies not in embracing caste identities, but in humanism and human rights. Caste must be criminalized, it cannot be accepted, defended, or justified.”
Across the panels and discussions, several key findings emerged. First, caste discrimination in Australia has become increasingly visible, and its impact extends across social, professional, and digital domains. Second, participants agreed that recognition at policy and institutional levels remains essential, a view fortified by the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inclusion of caste within its National Anti-Racism Framework. Third, the symposium emphasized the need for education and dialogue that position caste as a global concern, intersecting with wider issues of race, migration, and identity.
The gathering also paved the way for future collaboration through the Casteism Studies Network initiative, which aims to bring together scholars, artists, and community partners to develop joint research projects, policy dialogues, and creative works.
The day concluded with a shared sense of purpose: to continue this work with integrity, reflection, and cooperation. Caste discrimination must be confronted not only through public recognition but also through collective awareness and critical engagement. The discussions and reflections from this symposium reaffirmed the resolve to advance equality and social justice across national and cultural boundaries.
This symposium was organized by the Digital Heritage Centre, Institute of Asia and Pacific Studies, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, in collaboration with the Asian Media and Culture Society, Deakin University, Australia, and supported by Hindus for Human Rights (Australia), The Humanism Project, PATCA, The Navayana Buddhist Charitable Trust, and The Global Ambedkarite Federation.
