California’s political stage just witnessed a storm few saw coming. Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent veto of the caste discrimination bill (SB403) and the transnational repression bill (SB509) has ignited fierce debate across the Hindu American community. What began as a legal move has now spiraled into a larger cultural flashpoint — one that’s redefining identity, religion, and representation in California politics.
Supporters call it a stand for constitutional fairness, while critics see it as a step back in the fight against caste bias. Between accusations of anti-Hindu bias, political posturing, and rising diaspora activism, Newsom’s twin vetoes have opened a deep conversation about how far California’s progressive politics can stretch before clashing with the beliefs of Indian Americans.
As the dust settles, one question lingers — is this a bold act of balance or a misstep that could cost Newsom the trust of a growing voter bloc?
Story Highlights
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The Hindu American community, a major part of the Indian diaspora, challenges what it sees as a “weaponized” caste narrative.
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Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed California’s SB 403 (Caste Ban Bill) in 2023 and SB 509 (Transnational Repression Bill) in 2025.
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Critics call the vetoes a “double whammy” — political moves that both stereotype and court the community.
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Hindu advocacy groups like HAF and CoHNA warn against growing Hinduphobia in American politics.
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Left-leaning coalitions and progressive lawmakers continue pushing caste legislation despite legal and community backlash.
A Community Under Scrutiny
Across the United States, the Hindu American community—roughly two-thirds of the country’s five million Indian Americans—finds itself navigating a politically charged terrain. At the center of this conversation lies the enduring and often misunderstood concept of caste.
What began as a limited social categorization tied to occupation and ritual identity centuries ago in India has become, in recent years, a global flashpoint in political and academic circles. Many Hindus argue that caste, as a discriminatory structure, no longer defines their social or religious life. Yet, in the United States, activists and politicians continue to frame it as a pressing civil rights concern.
For many Hindu Americans, that framing feels deeply unfair. “It’s like being branded for something your society has already moved past,” said one Bay Area professional who attended a protest organized by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).
The Origins of the “Weaponization” Debate
The term “weaponizing caste” has entered the political lexicon of the diaspora, reflecting a sense that the issue has been repurposed for ideological goals.
Hindu advocacy groups, including HAF and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), say certain leftist coalitions and activist networks are exploiting caste to vilify Hindus—much as conservative nationalists in the U.S. or Europe are sometimes stereotyped as “racists” or “Nazis.”
“Caste is being used as a political weapon,” a CoHNA spokesperson noted, “not to protect anyone, but to divide communities and stigmatize one faith in particular.”
Groups such as Equality Labs and Hindus for Human Rights have spearheaded campaigns to ban caste-based discrimination in American workplaces and universities. However, Hindu advocacy groups argue that these laws are redundant since existing ancestry and religion protections already address such concerns.
The Caste Ban Bill (SB 403): A Flashpoint in 2023
In 2023, California’s Senate Bill 403—authored by Senator Aisha Wahab (D–Hayward)—sought to explicitly add “caste” as a protected category under the state’s anti-discrimination laws.
The bill gained traction after weeks of campaigning by Equality Labs, whose director, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, undertook a hunger strike in support of the legislation. The movement found favor among progressive circles in Silicon Valley and university campuses.
But it also met fierce resistance. Hindu groups organized rallies across California, calling the proposal “deeply flawed” and “inherently discriminatory.” They contended that it singled out Hindus, ignored caste dynamics in other South Asian faiths, and relied on unverified survey data.
“Adding caste would have legitimized profiling,” said HAF Executive Director Suhag Shukla. “The law already protects everyone. Why isolate one community?”
Governor Gavin Newsom eventually vetoed SB 403 on October 7, 2023. His statement described the bill as “unnecessary,” explaining that existing protections for ancestry and religion were sufficient. While many in the Hindu community celebrated the decision, others viewed it as politically calculated.
Behind the scenes, prominent Indian American donors reportedly warned that passing the bill could alienate Hindu voters and strain U.S.–India relations, especially amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with China.
The Transnational Repression Bill (SB 509): A Repeat Scene
Two years later, a similar controversy unfolded.
In 2025, Senator Anna Caballero (D–Merced) introduced Senate Bill 509, which aimed to train California law enforcement agencies to identify “transnational repression” — or attempts by foreign governments to intimidate or harm dissidents living abroad.
The bill referenced incidents such as the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist in Canada. Yet, Hindu organizations quickly warned that its broad language on “foreign proxies” could unfairly target Indian Americans involved in diaspora advocacy.
“This would have placed an invisible mark on anyone who speaks in favor of India,” argued a CoHNA spokesperson. “It could have turned loyal citizens into suspects.”
Governor Newsom vetoed SB 509 on October 13, 2025, citing fiscal concerns and overlap with federal enforcement efforts. Once again, the veto was celebrated by Hindu groups—but viewed through the lens of political triangulation.
The “Double Whammy” Effect in California Politics
Political analysts have called this pattern the “double whammy effect.”
In both cases, the Hindu community first faced profiling and stereotyping through controversial legislation. Then, after public backlash, the governor’s vetoes appeared to reverse the damage, earning goodwill and political capital in the process.
“First, you get painted as the problem. Then, you’re told you’ve been saved,” said one observer in Los Angeles. “It’s smart politics—but the community isn’t fooled.”
With nearly 800,000 Indian Americans in California, the demographic has significant electoral weight. Analysts suggest that the vetoes may have helped Newsom retain favor among Hindu American voters and donors, particularly in swing suburbs of the Bay Area and Southern California.
Former Federal Election Commission chair Ann Ravel told the Washington Post that the move likely influenced both vote flow and fund flow in upcoming races — a telling sign of California’s complex political calculus.
A Growing Divide in the Diaspora
Despite the vetoes, the caste debate in America shows no sign of fading. Progressive groups continue to press for legislation at city and federal levels, while Hindu organizations fight to counter what they call “institutional Hinduphobia.”
According to the FBI, reported incidents of anti-Hindu hate have risen for four consecutive years. At the same time, internal divisions among Indian Americans have deepened, with younger generations often more receptive to “equity-based” approaches than their elders.
A 2023 Washington Post analysis found that Indian Americans are split: some support measures addressing social equity, while others view them as stigmatizing and exclusionary.
“The community is at a crossroads,” said a sociologist at UC Berkeley. “It’s trying to balance heritage pride with the need to belong in America’s broader diversity framework.”
Beyond California: A National Conversation
The debate is no longer confined to the West Coast. Cities like Seattle and Fresno have already passed caste discrimination bans, and lawmakers such as Rep. Pramila Jayapal have introduced federal-level discussions. Meanwhile, a 27-member congressional caucus representing Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh voices has emerged to oppose any legislation that could single out specific faith groups.
Observers note that these battles are shaping a new kind of diaspora politics — one where religion, ethnicity, and global geopolitics intersect in ways unseen before.
Conclusion: Between Identity and Politics
The controversy surrounding SB 403 and SB 509 has revealed more than just a policy disagreement; it has exposed the fragile dynamics of diaspora identity in American politics.
Governor Newsom’s vetoes underscore how minority issues can be leveraged for votes rather than solutions. For many Hindu Americans, the challenge now is to preserve unity, dignity, and visibility in a polarized landscape where every issue risks being politicized.
As the community looks toward 2028 and beyond, one question lingers:
Can Hindu Americans shape their own narrative — or will they remain caught in the crossfire of political convenience?
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