THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack on India’s Chief Justice, Justice B. R. Gavai, describing it as a “shameful assault” on the country’s judiciary and a “painful reminder of the persistence of caste prejudice in Indian society.”
The organisation confirmed that it has written directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging both governments to take urgent and coordinated action against caste-based discrimination and to safeguard judicial independence.
In a formal memorandum sent this week, the IWA (GB) called on the Government of India to publicly denounce caste-based abuse, strengthen the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, and ensure the protection of judges and officials from marginalised backgrounds.
The association also urged the UK Government to recognise caste discrimination within the UK’s equality framework and to support awareness initiatives among the South Asian diaspora.
Justice Gavai, who comes from a Scheduled Caste background, was the target of a shoe attack inside the Supreme Court of India earlier this month. The incident was widely condemned across India and abroad, and was followed by a wave of online abuse directed at the Chief Justice.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), said:
“We are deeply disturbed that caste prejudice still influences behaviour from villages to courtrooms.
The attack on Chief Justice Gavai is not only an assault on judicial dignity but a painful reminder that true equality remains unfinished business.
Our Association stands for justice, secularism, and human dignity. We will not remain silent when caste hatred poisons democratic institutions.”
The IWA (GB), founded in 1938 and historically linked with Britain’s trade union and anti-colonial movements, said caste discrimination continues to operate “from the lowest to the highest levels” of Indian society. It called on both governments and civil-society groups to work together to “eliminate this centuries-old injustice from every sphere of public life.”
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to fighting oppression based on caste, class, or creed, and pledged to continue advocating for equality and justice in both India and the UK.
