California lawmakers have passed a historic bill aimed at outlawing discrimination based on caste, which primarily impacts people of South Asian descent. The bill redefines “ancestry” to include “lineal descent, heritage, parentage, caste, or any inherited social status.” If signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, California will become the first U.S. state to provide specific legal protections against caste-based discrimination. Caste is a complex and ancient system regulating social status based on birth, prevalent in various countries and faiths. The bill has received support from advocates who argue that existing protections do not adequately address caste discrimination, while opponents raise concerns about profiling and fairness.