Monthly Archives: May 2025
DSN UK Welcomes Change: The Tamil Nadu government in India amends rules prohibiting caste discrimination in prisons
21st May 2025
DSN UK warmly welcomes the news item from The Hindu a prominent News paper that says’ “A sub-rule introduced in the Tamil Nadu Prison Rules, 2024, said manual scavenging or hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank inside a prison should not be undertaken, in line with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.” This amendment prohibits the question on caste on the form to be filled in the Prisons and Correction Centres in Tamil Nadu.
At a time when the current BJP government in India is trying to bring back the Descent based work that will promote employment based on caste which will hike caste based discrimination.
DSN UK is Recruiting a part-time Programme Officer
16th May 2025
DSN UK Endorses NSS’ Letter: Free speech and caste discrimination concerns
16th May 2025
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DSNUK Trustee Adv Sushant Singh Speaks at House of Lords
7th May 2025
On 26th April 2025, DSNUK Trustee Adv. Sushant Singh Spoke at House of Lords on “Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Relevance in the Modern Times” on the occasion of the 134th birth anniversary (Ambedkar Jayanthi commemoration & Panel Discussion on Caste-Based Discrimination.
On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, a vibrant event was organised at the House of Lords. It brought together lawmakers, activists, and community leaders to reflect on the enduring relevance and importance of Dr B R Ambedkar in the modern era.
Adv. Sushant Singh, Dalit Human Rights Lawyer and trustee of Dalit Solidarity Network UK (DSNUK), was invited as a speaker. The panel was co-chaired by Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Member of the House of Lords and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dalits and Adivasis, alongside other notable figures from FABO, Caste Watch UK, and partner organisations.
In his address, Adv. Singh powerfully emphasised the global relevance of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision in resisting caste oppression, systemic inequality, and institutional discrimination. He thanked all caste-based and anti-caste organisations in the UK for their tireless efforts to carry the movement forward, honouring the legacy of Ambedkar with consistency and courage.
He paid tribute to Dalit youth in India whose tragic deaths highlighted the brutality of caste discrimination — including Rohith Vemula, Muthukrishnan, Anitha, and Payal Tadvi — and reminded the audience of their sacrifices.
Adv. Singh also spoke of the Ambedkarite movements in the USA, commending their efforts to bring caste discrimination into the mainstream policy and academic discourse — leading to historic institutional recognitions in universities such as Harvard, UC Davis, and Brandeis.
He called for:
- Legal recognition of caste-based discrimination in the UK,
- Implementation of anti-caste policies in universities and workplaces,
- Mental health safeguards for caste-oppressed individuals,
- Inclusion of Ambedkarite thought in educational curricula, and
- Strengthening global networks of Ambedkarite activism.
DSNUK proudly recognises and celebrates Adv. Sushant Singh’s contribution and leadership on such an important global platform. His voice reflects the determination of a new generation of Ambedkarites committed to a just, equitable, and caste-free world.
DSN UK Congratulates Critical Dance Studies Scholar Professor Royona Mitra!
7th May 2025
The new monograph Unmaking Contact: Choreographing South Asian Touch was published last month by Oxford University Press. The cover design is by “Rukminee Guha Thakurta, Letterpress Studio. Critical dance studies scholar Royona Mitra (Brunel University of London) says that it has taken ten years to birth this project and its publication coincided with the unexpected departure of her beloved mother who has played an integral role in many ways to this work, as Royona says, ‘in ways she will now never know’. Royona also notes that this publication aligns with “a devastating time in UK universities as we contend with precarities, redundancies, and become the fulcrum of political culture wars…” we wish that the joy of this publication brings abundant blessings to her, the student communities who will interact with her work and engage with the concerns that are close to her heart, especially in relation to “Cast out Caste” efforts from universities. .
We congratulate the dance artists – Akila, Diya Naidu, Nahid Siddiqui, and LaWhore Vagistan – whose words and works are integral to this project. We look forward to an online book launch in early autumn in the new academic year.