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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Karishma Luthria

‘A disease’: Caste discrimination in Australia is on the rise – but some are fighting back

Rakesh Kumar at home in Sunbury, Melbourne, with a painting by his sister-in-law depicting India’s caste system and the heroes who have tried to dismantle it
Rakesh Kumar at home in Sunbury, Melbourne, with a painting by his sister-in-law depicting India’s caste system and the heroes who have tried to dismantle it. Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian

When Rakesh Kumar migrated to Australia from Punjab in India 16 years ago, the discrimination followed him. Before he could even enter the house he would be staying in he was asked: “What is your caste?”

“I said I’m Chamar,” Kumar says. The term is a Punjabi equivalent of the Dalit caste.

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