Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

All right. Morning. The Senate on judiciary will come to order. By the way, thank you to my Republican colleagues. 50% of those present are Republicans. Here. We invite other Members to join us here in room 2100 so that we can form a quorum. The Senate continues to welcome the public for in person and via teleconference participation for individuals wishing to provide public comment today by teleconference.

Today's participant number is 877-226-8216 and the access code is 621-7161 we're holding our Committee hearing today in the O Street building. I ask all Members of the Committee to be present. Come on down to room 2100 so we can establish a quorum. With one more Member. We'll have sufficient number to establish a quorum before we hear today's presentations. As soon as Senator Laird comes back, we will establish a quorum. Let me, though, announce the bills that are on the consent calendar today.

We have seven items on the consent calendar. File M, number 12, SB 630 by Senator Dodd. Filem. Number 13, SB eight, by Senator Dodd with amendments, file M, number 15, SB 793 by Senator Glazer. File M, number 16, SB 88 by the Senate elections and constitutional amendments Committee. File them. Number 22, SB 722 by Senator Ocho Bog. File number 23, SB 87 by Senator O'cho Bogue.

File number 27, SB 459 by Senator Rubio with amendments, file M, number 36, SB 303 by Senator Allen with amendments, file M, number 37, SB 824 by Senator Ashby. Let's establish a quorum, Madam Secretary, if you would call the role for purposes of establishing a quorum.

[Roll Call]

We have a quorum. All right, you know what? Since we have a quorum, let's go ahead and vote on the consent calendar. Is there a motion on the. So moved. Senator Wilk moves the consent calendar, Madam Secretary, if you call the role on the consent calendar.

[Roll Call]

All right, we'll place that on call. And I know those of you in the room heard me say all this a few moments ago, but that was not broadcast. And we have a number of people who are participating and watching the proceedings here remotely. So, I'm going to go over the ground rules again for today. We have a special order of business on SB 403 this morning. Typically, this committee meets at 130 in the afternoon.

We will have another special order of business on SB 567 set by Senator Durazo at 130 this afternoon for the ground rules for all bills today, unless I announce something is different, is that we'll have two primary witnesses in support and two primary witnesses in opposition. Each witness will have two minutes to speak. In other words, there'll be four minutes for support, four minutes for opposition, split between two witnesses, two minutes each.

After the primary support and primary opposition witnesses have spoken, then we'll hear from all the witnesses, and we're going to call these the me-too witnesses, in other words, witnesses who wish to approach the microphone that's here in the room. And you'll give us your name. If you are affiliated with an organization, your organization, and whether you support or oppose for the first bill, SB 403, let me repeat that. You'll approach the microphone. You'll give us your name, your affiliation, whether you support or oppose SB 403.

After we've heard all the witnesses who wish to testify in support and in opposition who are present here in the building, then we'll turn to the phone lines. We'll turn to phone testimony. We'll hear from both support and opposition in phone testimony at the same time; there will be a 15-minute limit on phone testimony. That means that if you are not able to provide your comments within 15 minutes, we'll cut it off now.

So, same thing on the phone: your name, your affiliation, and whether you support or oppose the bill. If you wish to provide further information, and especially on SB 403, we've gotten quite a bit of information in written form. You are welcome to, and we encourage you to further expound upon your position by submitting a letter to the committee using one of the methods described on the Senate Judiciary Committee's website. All right, so thank you, Members, for appearing at our special session here.

With special order, we're going to go to SB 403. File item number one. Senator Wahab, the floor is yours.

Thank you. Chair, senators, staff, and members of the public. It is with a commitment to love, respect, and humanity that I have introduced SB 403 to end caste discrimination. Last year in November, in orientation as a state senator, I asked staff: how can I get started working on an antidiscrimination bill regarding caste? Today, this bill is before you in the form of SB 403. Despite dating back over several thousand years, old caste systems are not widely understood. Yet, we don't need another thousand years to decide to end this form of discrimination. We will decide that today. This is not just a tech issue; this is a human rights issue. Caste discrimination endangers California industries from agriculture, manufacturing, finance, restaurant development, domestic work, medical, legal and tech fields. Caste manifests as housing discrimination, unfair hiring practices, human trafficking, workplace bullying and harassment, gender-based violence, rape, and murder. In fact, I've received threats for my efforts on this bill to end caste discrimination, including death threats.

There simply is no place in California for this type of discrimination. The famous Cisco case referenced by so many, or the Google case, or the CSU case, or the Berkeley case, or the many other cases that have gone under the radar must not be dismissed. In fact, Cisco, the CSU system, Harvard, Seattle, and the California Democratic Party have adopted explicit language to end caste discrimination. All of you have received thousands of messages regarding this bill.

We hit a nerve, exposed a form of discrimination that many never even knew existed. The thousands of messages clearly show that there is a problem. In fact, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, Ashwini K.P., wrote to this body in support of SB 403 to end caste discrimination. Dr. Cornell West has written in fervent support, as well as thousands of others.

This bill has built a coalition of powerful supporters across so many sectors simply because caste is a civil, racial, gender, workers, women's, and human rights issue. This is why organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, California Labor Federation, NAACP, the Me-Too Movement, Bend the Arc, APALA, Alphabet Workers Union, Stop AAPI Hate, V Day, the South Asian Bar of America, and many more have vocalized their support for SB 403, including Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Jain, and more. SB 403 goes beyond partisanship and polarized divides.

Now that we are beginning to comprehend the nuances of caste, we have an obligation to remedy the severity of its impact here in California. To me, caste is an invisible shackle placed on people at birth. They have no way to escape this type of bondage. No education, marriage, wealth, years, or even generations will allow them to escape. Those of us who are not raised in the bottom overt caste systems can't possibly know or understand what it does to one's psyche, creating intergenerational trauma that spans centuries.

Those who are raised in the long shadows of caste systems suffer in silence due to stigma and fear of not being understood. Today is the time for healing and agency. Every step forward in civil rights was met with a resistance for change.

I stand before you as a proud American, one who believes in, defends, and protects the American dream, where no matter where you're from, what religion you practice, who you love, or what background you have, you are guaranteed to be able to live your full potential here in the United States. The state of California has shown a commitment to inclusion time and time again.

Today, we see a need to strengthen those commitments and ensure that all people are protected under the law and clarify that discrimination based on caste is unacceptable here in California. That is why I stand here now with the world watching as California once again commits to protecting the most vulnerable and balancing power.

Much like the nation rallied in 2020 to address the systemic inequities that continue to perpetuate discrimination against black community members, there is a similar reckoning to destroy the wheel of power and privilege perpetuated by caste systems. I want to dispel the false rhetoric by opposition. This bill does not target any specific community. It does not target a specific religion, nor does it create more harm. This bill simply protects people from discrimination and allows people to know they are protected under California law.

At the end of the day, SB 403 is truly a simple bill because it simply aims to affirm that caste discrimination in California will not be tolerated. Clarifying this as it relates to caste discrimination under our Fair Employment and Housing Opportunity Act and the Unrust Civil Rights Act defines the word caste and follows the civil Rights department's authority for enforcement of these violations that are currently in place.

Caste discrimination is wrong, and the people experiencing it deserve all the support and protections we offer to the already protected characteristics in our anti-discrimination laws. Finally, the addition of caste will create greater accessibility of resources and sensitivity for victims of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence who are also subjected to caste discrimination. This is what the Golden State stands for, and I urge you all not to feel pressured by opposition but instead feel proud of the domino effect.

You start around the world where other jurisdictions will follow our brave stand against caste discrimination. I have with me two witnesses, one is Thenmozhi Soundararajan of Equality Labs, who is a Dalit woman whose people were formerly known as the "untouchables," so you can hear her lived experience.

I also have Anne Ravel, one of the brightest legal minds in the country, an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley and former deputy assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice in the Obama Administration, who will explain the legal needs for this bill to pass. Chair, whenever you're ready.

All right, let's have the first witness in support of SB 403. Ms. Ravel.

Thank you very much for having me here today.

Mr. Chair and the rest of the committee, I also, in addition, over here. Sorry, I feel like I'm in jail. I also, in addition to what the Senator has said, work in human rights and electoral issues throughout the Americas. And for that reason, I see this bill and the movement and caste discrimination as an important civil rights issue. And so I unequivocally support the bill. We know there have been a lot of cases that have been reported that are credible cases of caste discrimination in California.

And in fact, after the Cisco case, a number of women who were engineers in various tech industries, and I live in the South Bay, wrote to the Washington Post about their experiences of caste discrimination. So, section SB 403 uses the same rights and rational approach that we have in California to fight discrimination that California has taken over the years to protect all minorities. As this Committee is aware, there are 18 classes that are protected in California law.

18, indicating the importance and the need for a clear identification of protected classes to be enshrined in antidiscrimination law. And until caste is explicitly added as a protected class, it will be very difficult for those who have been harmed to be able to have a remedy for discrimination. And I know I don't have too much time, but as the Senator has indicated, this bill is not discriminatory against any individuals. In fact, only the perpetrators.

Thank you.

Will be held accountable.

Thank you.

Thank you. All right, next witness.

Thank you, esteemed members of the Committee, for having me here today. My name is Thenmozhi Soundararajan, and I'm Executive Director of Equality Labs, an Dalit civil rights organization. I also stand here as a Board Member of the Me-Too movement and a proud founder of the Californians for Caste Equity Coalition. I also stand here as a survivor of caste-based violence. On behalf of my community and allies, I have one message today.

Caste-oppressed Californians are here, and we deserve workplaces and educational institutions free from violence. California is ground zero for caste inequality. And this, Sacramento, is our Birmingham. In our quest for freedom, our research has found that one in four caste-oppressed people face physical and verbal assault, one in three educational discrimination, and two out of three workplace discrimination. And our data is backed by numerous testimonies that we have now gathered across the state from workers of every industry.

We have talked to farm workers, truck drivers, caregivers, small business owners, doctors, nurses, lawyers, each with their own story of heartbreak, and each with their determination to be free from caste. And so we are here, Caste-oppressed Californians who came as far away as San Diego to Shasta County to speak for those who could not today.

And so we say, we are here for those employees who have raised their concerns to HR, to companies like Cisco and Google that refused to take our complaints because they said caste was not a protected category. We are also here to speak for our children who want to live free from caste. And we are also here to speak for ourselves because we want a future where we are all free together. And that in order for us to heal from caste, we must remedy its discrimination.

And that's why we ask for you to stand with us, to make history with us, to stand with our ancestors.

Thank you. If you could wrap it up. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you. All right, now let's hear from the opposition. Two minutes each. Is there a primary witness in opposition to SB 403? Go ahead, sir.

Honorable judiciary Members, I'm Sandeep. I represent the Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans. California's 51C3, Dalits and Bahujans, the very underprivileged people that Senator Wahab and her supporters claim to represent, but they don't. We strongly oppose SB 403. For you, honorable senators, it may be just another bill: for my Indian American communities, including Dalits, this bill is a weapon to butcher our cultural existence.

Senator Wahab and her supporters just made ugly, unsubstantiated claims about harassment, discrimination, and violations in our communities. Some of these are the same groups that had asked the CDE to remove Dalit contributions from California's textbooks. Thankfully, CDE did not fall prey. You must not either. These same groups have attempted caste bills at several places. The intent is fixed. Deny our cultural existence. But language keeps changing. No wonder Senator Wahab just changed the very definition of the caste just last week.

Caste is a moving target and a racist category that you are being asked to institutionalize. They submitted data from the UN on India as evidence but conveniently ignored the data on US that is telling that such discrimination is exceedingly rare. If it happens, current laws protect us. But the bill and yesterday's analysis by the council rather hinges on fraudulent reports and unproven lawsuit. The council's analysis makes insulting assumptions that my community is full of caste oppressors and we are too stupid to understand this bill.

What we will do, remember, this is very important: majority of Dalits and Bahujans are Hindus. But Senator Wahab had her love of humanity basically forgotten, and she did not reach out to us. Before framing the bill, we have 500,000 Californian Hindu Americans here. Lastly, the claiming that South Americans, Africans and Asian communities have the caste system makes blacks and brown immigrants targets for the hate and ignores their colonial trauma. We strongly condemn that. The bill claims to save it, but actually it harms us. Please vote no on this bill and any bill that has word caste.

Thank you.

Thank you. All right, next, just a reminder that your comments are directed to the committee, not to the author. All right, thank you.

Good morning. My name is Rocky Shrani. I'm an attorney, South Asian Californian. I'm here to testify in opposition of SB 403. Our community condemns all forms of discrimination. So the question we've put before this committee is not whether we address allegations of caste, but rather how we do so. SB 403 is an unconstitutional denial of my community's rights, fairness, and equal protection under the law. If this bill is adopted, caste will be the only discrimination law category that is not facially neutral.

Everyone has a race, everyone has a color, and everyone has an age. Not everyone has a caste. This bill is facially discriminatory. Its enforcement of such a law would necessarily be plagued with suspicion, presumptions of guilt, intrusive questions about the ancestry of our partners, and more, all in violation of our rights to equal protection, due process, and the very laws this bill seeks to amend.

Contrary to what the legislative analysis released yesterday says, the language of the bill actually attempts to define caste, among other things, as social restrictions on marriage. In other words, how you marry or who you marry is determinative of your caste. That's bigotry. Finally, the legislative analysis also incorrectly states that unreported claims of caste discrimination means that the law needs to be clarified through statute. But this still doesn't just clarify; it creates an entirely new legal category that only applies to people of color.

Instead, that clarification can be achieved through guidance from the Civil Rights Department and more resources to educate people about their rights. The legislative analysis, as well as the bill, agree that existing law already bars caste discrimination. And we know that the state has already litigated claims of caste discrimination under ancestry in its case against Cisco.

This law will cause way more problems than it may possibly solve by singling out an entire community, by stigmatizing the children of our community, and by harming our educational and employment opportunities. As South Asians, we have a right to live happily and peacefully, as does every citizen of this state. There are so many much better ways to solve any problems of caste discrimination than this bill. Please vote no on SB 403. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. All right, next, we're going to hear from those who support and oppose SB 403. I'm going to ask those who wish to provide testimony to approach the microphone. Give us your name, your affiliation, and whether you support or oppose SB 403. So, if you care to provide that testimony, now is the time to line up at the microphone. Go ahead. Whoever wishes to go first, please approach the microphone. Go ahead.

My name is Priya Deep from Fresno. I support yes. SB 403.

Thank you. My name is Millind from San Jose. I'm a Dalit Bahujan, and I oppose SB 403.

Thank you. All right. The first two that provided me to testimony. That's exactly how the exact appropriate approach. Thank you.

My name is Ujwala. I'm a Dalit from California, Cupertino, California, and oppose the bill. I vote no for SB 403.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks. My name is Reyno. I'm from Bakersfield, California. I support yes for SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you. My name is Nirmal Singh. I'm from Bakersfield. I strongly support SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

My name is Roche Bala. I present myself. I strongly want you guys to vote no on SB 403. It's discriminatory.

All right. Thank you.

My name is Ritesh Boleteria from Santa Clara, California. I strongly oppose SB 403. Thank you.

Hello, everyone. My name is Nachiket Akunger. I'm from Santa Clara, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Vishwajit. I'm a Dalit myself. I vote no for the bill.

Thank you.

Hello. This is Prasad Kandar. I'm from Hayward, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Rino Nyer. I'm from Fremont, California, and I strongly oppose SB 403.

Hello. My name is Abir Amanda. I strongly oppose 403.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Rishi Nair. I'm from Fremont, and I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Basqebetti. I am from Balsam, California. Oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Vandana Sharma. I am from Sacramento, and I'm opposing this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. I'm Anu Mohan. I'm from Bakersfield, and I oppose SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. Sanjeev Sherma. I'm opposing this bill. I'm from San Jose.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Pranja Lidani. I'm also a human rights commissioner in Santa Clara County, and I oppose this bill.

Thank you.

I'm Anita Kumari from San Jose, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Haren Shankar Raman. I represent myself. I strongly oppose SB 403, and urge the representatives also to vote no for this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Lakhdhir, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. Joseph Giakwad. I'm from Dalit Panther, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. I'm Ashwini. I'm a workplace investigator, and I strongly oppose this bill, SB 403.

Hello. My name is Ankita. I'm from San Jose, and I strongly oppose this SB 403.

Thank you.

Good morning. I'm Lalita du Perron. I'm from Sunnyvale. I work at but do not represent the Center for South Asia at Stanford, and I am strongly in favor of SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm Ramadri. I'm yes for what--number SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Kulwant Kaur from Concord, California. I strongly support this bill, SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Kamalji Kaur, and I support SB 403 strongly.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Mita, and I'm a concerned Hindu American, and I strongly oppose this bill.

I am Vijay Paul from Fairfield, Solano County. I support this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Esrendekork. I support SB 403. Yes.

Thank you.

Good morning. I am Rasa Singhbars. I support this bill. Vote.

Thank you.

Yes.

My number was Balito. I support. Yes.

Hello. My name is Sia Singh. I'm a ninth grader at Fremont, California school, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Hi. My name is Rampal Faprijimo. I support this bill. Yes.

Myself. [Foreign language]. I support this bill.

My name Sorrely from Bakersfield. I support this bill, SB. Yes.

Good morning. My name is Rahman Moni from Bakersfield, California, and I strongly support SB 403. Thank you.

Haren Desai, Santa Clara. I'm a startup entrepreneur. I oppose this bill. Please vote no.

Good morning. I'm Vadiraj from San Ramon. I strongly oppose this bill.

Hello. My name is Venkat. I'm from Mountain House, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you. All right, if there's anyone else? Okay.

Hi. My name is in Betia. I support this bill. Thank you.

I'm Rajendra Gangar from Selma, California. I support this SB 403.

Thank you.

Mr. Santos Sanghi, Selma, California.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Rajendra Momi from Bakersfield, Kern County. I strongly support SB 403.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning. Myself, Amar Daroch. President Guru Ravidass Temple, Fresno. I strongly support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Vinod Kumar. I'm President of Pittsburg Gurukar. I support this bill 403.

Good morning. My name is Mandeep Rai. I support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Haryompal. I support this bill.

Good morning. My name is Satpal, and I'm from Contra Costa County, and I support for this bill.

Good morning. My name is Laipatrai. Yes. Support 403.

My name is Hardio Singh. I support this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Lakhan Singh from Sikh Guru Ravidass Temple, Selma, California, and I support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, respective Committee. My name is Raj Guru, and you can call me a caste system. I'm at untouchable. I'm just to request you guys.

Our coming generation. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And you support or oppose? All right.

Thank you.

My name is Gyanchand. I support SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Petipal Memory. I support this bill, SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Shweta, and I'm here from Pleasanton, and I strongly oppose SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Praveen from Santa Clara. I strongly, strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

[Foreign Language].

Thank you. I see you support the bill. Thank you very much.

My name is Sindabegar, and I vote yes. I support. Yes.

Ma'am.

My name Sinder Kaur. I support. Yes. I support. Yes.

And my name is Sinder Kaur. I support. Yes.

Thank you. Thanks.

Kaurbunger. Support. Yes.

Hi. I'm Promila Dhanuka, MD, oncologist. I'm representing United Way, Northern California, a long affair, and I support this bill strongly. Please vote for it.

Thank you very much.

My name is Prajwal Thule. I'm from South San Francisco, and I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Let me just interrupt for a second. Thank you, Senator. I'm going to ask Senator Laird to chair the Committee. You'll notice that there are Members here who have to be in other Committees, including me. So throughout the day, there'll be folks coming and going. Thank you, Senator Laird, for assuming the responsibility here for a while. All right.

Thank you. And just for the record, we want to get everybody in that is outside to do this. We want to make sure we hear from everybody. And if you even take a second longer, you're pushing somebody else out. So as efficiently as you can say your name, your organization, and whether you support or oppose. Welcome to the microphone, sir.

So I'm Belvitan from New York, and I'm the General Secretary of Dr. Ambedkar Education Society. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Steve Singh Badam from Congress. I support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hello. This is Rushali Raut from Cupertino. I'm a proud American. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much. You have to be picked up by the microphone here to be on the record.

Name's Rupal, and Santa Clara County. No to SB 403, but I am seeing these two posters here.

It's fine. You were just on camera with your poster. Thank you very much.

Myself is Meenakshi from Fremont, California. I am strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

I'm Srinivasa Sundaram from El Dorado Hills, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Jogaraj Gadu. I support this bill, SB 403. Thank you. Yes.

Thank you very much.

I am Satnam Singh from Fresno. I strongly support this bill. Yes, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Sukriti. I'm a sixth grader at Harvest Park, Pleasanton. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

I'm Sanjeevani Derge, a ninth grader at Leigh High School in San Jose, and I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

My name is Archana Panda, and I'm the founder of project manager of Myson Spriti, my heritage. To all the jury, I appeal before it's too late. Please do not.

I'm sorry. We get that you oppose it. Thank you very much. Next speaker.

Hello. My name is Pranita, and I'm a senior at California High School, and I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. My name is Abhi Mahajan, and I'm a sophomore at St. Francis High School, Mountain View, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Lavita Dehr. I'm a junior at Wilcox High School, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Rakshit Ashdakar. I am from Livermore, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Jignesh Borisa. I am a Dalit, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Ajay. I'm from Fremont, California. I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Shashi Raj. I'm from Hayward, California, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Pritam. I'm from San Jose, California, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. My name is Aditya. I'm from Foster City, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Deepan Dab. I am from underprivileged class in northeastern India, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning, sir. My name is Satish Mahajan. I am from San Jose, California. I'm underprivileged, backward community person. I oppose this bill of Wahab. Thank you.

Thank you.

My name is Amit. I'm from Fremont. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

I am Anuj Kumar from San Jose. I oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Mushka. I oppose this bill. I am from San Jose.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Anit. I'm from San Jose. I oppose this.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Abur, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you for coming to our hearing.

Hi. I'm Pragati, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Mortay. Vote yes.

Thank you very much.

Namanjit Kaur, my support. Yes.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Akash Deep. I support this bill, 403. Yes.

Thank you.

Respected all Members, my name is Karan. I'm from San Antonio. I strongly support SB 403.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Lambertin coming from Sonora, California. I support SB 403.

Thank you very much.

My name is Ramasa from Fresno. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Sutja Singh from Fresno. I support the bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Rahul Powar. I'm from Sunnyvale, California, and I support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello everyone. My name is Anu. I am from Fremont, California, and I am strongly saying no to this SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm Siddhan from California. Resident. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. I'm Dr. Ranaji Joshi. I oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

I am Roshangar, President of Caroline News of Northern California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. My name is Dharampal. I strongly support this bill. Yes for this bill.

Thank you very much. Appreciate you being here.

My name is Opi Bahli. I am from Ambedkar Mission, California. I strongly say in favor of this 401.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Nitya. I'm from Palo Alto. I'm with America Against Caste Discrimination, and I support this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Nathan from Dublin, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. Ganen Darana, part of Americans for Equality. I strongly, strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Pawan from San Ramon. I'm representing my family. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Pavi Sahota. I'm a president of Rangreta Civil Association from Bakersfield, California. Strongly. I say yes. Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

My name is Dashvender Paul, and I'm the chairman of International Bhajan Agriculture in California, and been oppressed more than 5,000 years so I want to emulate the caste and strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Sue. I'm from Pittsburgh, California. I'm part of the Pittsburgh Guru Ravidass Temple and International Pojan organization. I totally agree with this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Madhu from San Francisco. I'm a part of America Against Caste Discrimination. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Nivedita Koche, and I strongly oppose this bill with my family.

Thank you very much.

Hi. I'm Aruna Paluri. Tracy, California. I oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. I'm Snehal from Cupertino. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Dakshata Talekar from San Jose, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Sri Sudha from San Ramon. I strongly oppose this bill for my family and future. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Geeta Sikand from Irvine, California, and I strongly oppose this bill for my family of five.

Thank you very much.

Hello. I'm Nila Vajra-Mushti to California. Aliso Viejo, Orange County. No to SB 403.

Thank you very much.

I'm Ono Wilyam from Aliso Viejo, California, Orange County. I say no to SB 403.

Thank you very much. We appreciate you being here.

My name is Vidula Vajramushti. I'm from Aliso Viejo, Orange County, California. I strongly oppose SB 403 on behalf of my family of six. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Hello. My name is Amir Mirarte, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Munish Kumar. I support. Yes. SB 403. Yes.

Thank you very much.

My name is Ishna Datusoya, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Shreya Deshpande, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Vanti Sharma. I am from Roseville, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Smriti Deshpande. I'm from Roseville, California, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Prayna Kumari. I am from Roseville, and I strongly say no to SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Manyai Yanamandra, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Moran Bether, and I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Rohit Misha. I'm from Folsom, California, and I strongly oppose the bill, SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Nihar Gitardiparte. I'm from Folsom, California, and I strongly oppose the bill, SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Venkata Manish Maramreddy. I'm from Roosevelt. I strongly oppose this bill, SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Avni Pat, and I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Inshira Chimangalo. I'm from San Jose, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Yagnik Makwana. I am from San Jose, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Venkat Nagaram. Folsom, California. I oppose SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Ritu Maheshwari. I'm from Fremont. I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Shilpa from Fremont. I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you.

Good morning. Armand Feliciano, on behalf of the Asian Law Caucus, in support of SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Chair and Members, Shubhangi Domokos, on behalf of the California Labor Federation, in strong support.

Thank you.

Hello. Megan Abell with Tech Equity Collaborative, proud to be cosponsors, in strong support.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Venkata Trapezer. I'm from San Ramon Telugu Association. I strongly oppose it.

Thank you.

Hi. I am Surya. I'm from California. I strongly oppose this bill. Please vote no.

Thank you very much.

I am Sudha Jagannathan. I'm a Bahujan, Hindu. I am on the board of Coalition of Hindus of North America, and I strongly oppose and ask you to please vote no on 403.

Thank you very much.

Hello. I'm Maya Kamari. I'm representing Ambedkar Association of North America, and I strongly support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Kiran Sharma. I strongly oppose this bill. Please. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Purnima. I'm representing my family of six. I'm from Pleasanton, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Ashwini from Fremont, California. I strongly oppose the SB 403 bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Ankur. I'm from El Pueblo, Santa Clara, California. I strongly oppose the discriminatory bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Manoj. I'm from Folsom, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Lakshmi Rao. Roseville resident for more than 25 years. I strongly say no to SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Narayana Yanamandra. I am resident of Roseville. I strongly oppose this bill. Say no to this.

Thank you very much.

Namaste. My name is Praveen Lingam. I am a resident of Folsom, California. I say no to this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Mukthika Ananda. I am from Kailasa, Los Angeles. Nithyanandeshwara Hindu Temple in Montclair. I strongly oppose and vote no to this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Suhas Surendran. I'm from Kailasa Los Angeles Hindu Temple, and I oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. I'm Gauri Bharatendra. I'm from Kailasa, Los Angeles, Nithyanandeshwara Temple. I'm against this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

My name is Kriti and I am--I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Shreta. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Samanu. I'm a rising freshman from Pleasanton, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Karina Chada, and I'm from the Billy DeFrank Center in San Jose, and I am strongly in favor of this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Krishna Kanta. I am an entrepreneur. I strongly oppose the bill.

Thank you.

I'm Rucha Sane from Santa Clara County. I'm a scientist. I strongly oppose this insensitive bill. Please take us seriously.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Bhairavi Khandekar, and I strongly oppose this bill. I am a health care worker in Santa Clara, California.

Thank you very much.

Good morning to each one of you. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. My name is Nirupama Chebiyam. I'm a humanitarian. I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Manu Khar. I'm from the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Center in San Jose, and I strongly support this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. Good morning. My name is Sujata Joshi. I'm from San Jose. I strongly, strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Sandeep Gangaden. I'm from Roseville, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Girish. I am a Dalit Hindu, and I strongly oppose this bill, and I request humbly to vote no to this, please.

Thank you very much.

Hello. I'm Jagannatha Venkatesha, a Saurashtra speaking Hindu American here, and I strongly oppose this bill and say no to this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. Good morning. My name is Bhargavi. I'm from San Ramon. I oppose the bill. Please. No.

Thank you for being here.

Hi. I'm a concerned Indian American living in San Ramon. I strongly oppose this bill. Say no.

Thank you.

My name is Satish, underprivileged from Santa Clara, working as the Chief Advisory Committee for Santa Clara Police Department. I strongly oppose unconstitutional bill, SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Hello. I am Webo Singho, Hindu American from San Jose, California. I strongly oppose this SB 403 bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Namantiagi. I'm from Fremont, California, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you for being here.

Hi. My name is Manisha Bhartak. I'm from Fremont, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Gamaldi Srila, and I'm from Pittsburgh, California, member of Sri Guru Ravidass and IBO, and I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hello. My name is Amit Kumar, and I live in from Fresno. I say yes for this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hello. My name is Kamaljit Singh, and I am from Fresno, and I am in favor of this bill.

Thank you.

Thank you.

My name is Raji Kumar. I am from Fresno. I strongly support the bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Salim. I support this bill.

Thank you.

California. Support. Yes.

Thank you.

I am Baljinder Singh from Bay Area. I am strongly support SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Indian. I'm a queer law student from Los Angeles, and I support this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Kamal Depale. I am from Pittsburgh. I support this bill.

Thank you.

My name Andhra Pale. I come in the Fremont. I can vote yes this bill.

Thank you very much.

Deep Singh from Fremont. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you.

Kamaldev from Fremont. I strongly support this bill.

Good morning, sir. My name is Harmesh, and I'm from Fremont. I come here to support this bill. I strongly support this bill, SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Morning. My name is Rima Naira. I'm a financial advisor, and I very strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Paramjit Kaur. I'm from Bay Area. I'm strongly, strongly supporting this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Paramjit Kaur. I'm from Fremont. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hello. Very good morning. This is Sriram from Santa Clara. I strongly oppose this bill. This is clear Hindu phobia.

Thank you.

Good morning all. I'm Kamaljit Singh from San Jose. Vote yes and support this bill very strongly. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Hi. Good morning. This is Ashok Kumar from San Jose. I strongly support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Kaur. Yes.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Bowen Kumar. I'm from Sacramento. I strongly say yes for this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I am Mehul. I'm Santa Clara County resident. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

Rakesh Pathak from San Jose. I oppose this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Sawan Singh from Bay Area. I support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hello, everyone. I'm Karthik. I am with America Against Caste Discrimination. I support this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Samhita Das. I belong to Odia Community, Bay Area, and I strongly oppose the bill. Say no to the SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. I am Susanta Das from San Jose, California. I strongly oppose this discriminatory bill. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Hello. This is Sachin from Santa Clara. I strongly, strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Bala from Palo Alto. I represent America Against Caste Discrimination. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you.

Good morning. This is Ajay from Sunnyvale. I strongly oppose this bill because it's not based on facts.

Thank you very much.

Hello. I'm Vani Stinner from Elk Grove, and I strongly say no to SB 403.

Thank you.

Hello. I'm Andrak from Elk Grove. I'm strongly against this discriminatory bill.

Thank you.

I'm Chandran Ayak from Fremont, California. I oppose this bill because it's discriminatory.

Thank you.

Hello. This is Pradeep Mishra, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Ganapati from Sunnyvale. I represent Americans Against Caste Discrimination. I support this bill.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Naresh Kumar. I strongly support this bill, SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Rupatri. I strongly support this bill. God, this is good for everyone. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. This is Rohit Prakash. I'm from Rocklin, California, and I strongly oppose this discriminatory bill from our Hindu American community.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Arya Prakash. I am from Rocklin Elementary, and I do not support this bill.

Thank you.

Namashkar Suata from Rocklin. I strongly oppose the bill, SB 403. Dhanavad.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Karthikeyan Shanahan from Pleasanton, California, representing America Against Caste Discrimination. I support SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

I'm Sigar from Mountain View. I support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. My name is Loliduga. I'm from Sacramento, California. I support this bill.

Thank you.

I am Harbhajan Singh. I am from Fremont. I support this bill strongly.

Thank you very much.

I'm Sanjay Goyal from Roseville, California. I oppose this bill.

Thank you for being here.

Hi. I'm Satya Pradhan from Hayward, California. I strongly oppose this bill because of its discriminatory nature.

Thank you.

Hello. I'm Mahadesha Swamy from Mountain House, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Hi. I'm Raghendra from Mountain House. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Vaishnavi, studying in Thornton Junior High. I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Arjuna. I'm from Fremont. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Anjani from Fremont. I strongly, strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Krishna. I'm from Tracy. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

You Honor, Sir, myself Jason Kurt. I am from Dublin. I dropped Dublin 94568. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Sandeep Desai from Fremont, California. I strongly, strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Purima. I'm from Roosevelt. I'm strongly opposed this SB 403. Thank you.

Thank you.

Namaste, everyone. My name is Prabhakar Maramreddy. I am proud Hindu of this universe. I love all of you. I strongly oppose this SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Isha David Adamani. I'm from Roosevelt. I'm a small spec in the universe. I strongly oppose this bill with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Gan Suman, and I support SB 403.

Thank you very much.

I'm Ramya Tathacharya. I'm from Pleasant Hill, and I'm a proud Hindu millennial survivor of a millennium of oppression, and I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Hello. My name is Vivek Walvekar. I'm from Morgan Hill, California. I'm representing a Marathi language philosophy group. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Namaste, everyone. My name is Ashwin Arab. I'm from Sacramento, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Noresh Chamath. I'm from Antika, California, and I'm in favor of this bill.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello. My name is Jab Singh Sunda. I'm from Manteca, California. I'm in support of this.

Thank you.

My name is Rendra Chandra from California. Sacramento. Vote for yes. SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. Good morning, everyone. My name is Rakesh from Sacramento. I strongly support SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Simar. I'm strongly vote yes.

Thank you very much.

Hi. My name is Kanta Soni. I'm from Newburg, California. I strongly approach yes on SB 403.

Thank you.

Lindus Soni. California. Strongly yes for SB 403.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Madhura Gorkal. I'm from Dublin, California, and I strongly say no.

Thank you.

Namaste, everyone. I am Vargo Pisolkar from Sacramento, and I say strongly no to the SB 403. I represent the Hindu community.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. I am Madhukar Puri. I am from Dublin, and I strongly oppose this SB 403.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. My name is Ramesh Suman. I'm a past president of Sri Gura Das Sabah, also a retired banker. I strongly support this bill. With the crowd today, you can tell why it's needed. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, sir. My name is Linda Singh. I support this bill.

Thank you.

My name is Hamish Bengal. I'm from Dublin, Alameda County. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you.

I'm Rajendra Rajoria from Concord, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Ankit Bansal. I'm from Brentwood, California. I strongly oppose this bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Namaste. I'm Deepak Kumar from Brentwood, California. I strongly oppose the bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Prem Chumbar. I am from Aryan Brotherhood, USA. I'm convener. I strongly support this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hi. This is Narendra. I'm strongly support. Yes.

Thank you for being here.

Respective panel, I'm Dharmendra. Fremont. I work as a social worker in Fremont area. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Baljeet Singh. I am member of Executive Committee of Shri Guru Ravidas, temporary Olinda, and a federal employee. I strongly support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I am Herbala Singh. My vote. Yes.

Thank you.

Amarkar. Vote yes.

Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Ship Sidu. I'm from Fremont. I'm strongly, fully supporting this bill, SB 403. Yes.

Thank you very much.

I'm Shashi Paul, U.S. citizen, President of Indian Care Association from Fairfield. I strongly say yes on this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Sri Lalita. I am from Mountain House, and I strongly oppose this bill. No to SB 403.

Thank you.

Namaste everybody. My name is Rakesh Dubai. I am from San Bruno. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Dr. Dilip Amin. President of Hindu Speakers Bureau, President of Interfaith Shaadi. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Namaste everyone. My name is Shaniki. I'm from California by Mountain House. I strongly support no.

Thank you.

My name is Bindu Bhandari. I am from Livermore. I strongly oppose SB 403.

Thank you.

Namaste. My name is Mayura Kulkarni. I am from Brentwood, California. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

My name is Harsh. I'm from Fremont, California, and I think SB 403 is unconstitutional. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Dr. Pradhumna from Sunnyvale. I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

I'm Arvind Singh from Fremont, California. I say no to racial profiling, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Sakit Kumar from Fremont, California, and I strongly oppose this bill.

Thank you very much.

Hi. I'm Lavanya, and strongly oppose this bill.