California Set to Outlaw Discrimination Based on Caste in Historic Move

In a groundbreaking development, California is on the verge of becoming the first state to outlaw discrimination based on a person's caste. The centuries-old system of social stratification, prevalent in countries like India and Nepal, has faced prohibition in its countries of origin for decades. However, its impact has reverberated across the globe, leading many to believe that legal protection against caste-based prejudice is necessary in the United States. Not everyone agrees, as there are concerns that such a move could have unintended consequences.

Amy Qin, a correspondent for The New York Times who specializes in covering Asian American communities, delves into the complexities of this issue on an episode of The Daily podcast. Qin explains the reasons behind the push for legal protection against caste discrimination in the US and explores the opposing viewpoints.

The recent passage of a bill by the California State Legislature has sparked intense debate among South Asian immigrants. Meena Kotwal, a Dalit journalist, founded a news outlet focused on marginalized groups in India, aiming to shed light on their struggles and improve their lives.

The episode of The Daily, hosted by Michael Barbaro, features Amy Qin as a guest. The show, produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Stella Tan, with Diana Nguyen and Shannon Lin, is edited by Patricia Willens and Marc Georges. Original music is composed by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, and Rowan Niemisto, while Chris Wood handles the engineering.

The Daily podcast can be listened to and followed on various platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. It is a popular source of news and analysis, providing in-depth coverage of important topics. The show aims to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode's publication, allowing for accessibility and convenience.

The Daily is created by a team of dedicated individuals, including Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, and Olivia Natt. The theme music is composed by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk.

This episode of The Daily, hosted by Sabrina Tavernise, features Mujib Mashal, The Times's South Asia bureau chief. He discusses the deteriorating relationship between Canada and India, which has reached its lowest point in history after Canada accused India of assassinating a Sikh community leader in British Columbia in June. The accusation, made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, claims that agents of India were responsible for the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent advocate for an independent Sikh nation. The Indian government vehemently denies the charge, and this incident may further strain relations between Sikh and Hindu communities in Canada.

The episode of The Daily, produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rob Szypko, Eric Krupke, and Will Reid, is edited by Lisa Chow and M.J. It features original music composed by Elisheba Ittoop and Will Reid. The episode carries a warning as it contains descriptions of violence, reflecting the gravity of the situation between Canada and India and the implications it holds for both countries.

Another episode of The Daily, produced by Mooj Zadie and Will Reid, focuses on the devastating impact of fentanyl use in the United States. Tens of thousands of deaths occur each year due to fentanyl overdose, and lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are increasingly targeting drug users themselves as responsible for these deaths. Eli Saslow, a writer for The New York Times, presents the story of a man whose friendship ended tragically due to fentanyl use, and explores the controversial laws that hold him accountable for his friend's death. Critics argue that such laws may undermine public health goals and the progress made in addiction treatment.

Eli Saslow is a writer at large for The New York Times, known for his thought-provoking and impactful stories. He contributed to the reporting of this episode, which contains descriptions of rape, sexual abuse, and death, highlighting the severity of the fentanyl crisis.

The combination of these texts paints a comprehensive picture of important news stories, highlighting the efforts of journalists, podcasters, and writers in bringing these issues to the forefront of public consciousness.