Caste Conversation is a safe space to hold constructive dialogue on the caste system, its experience and intersections aimed at addressing the systemic, social, and personal impacts of caste-based discrimination and inequality. This conversation pioneers a critical role in educating, engaging, and inspiring people toward collective action against caste-based inequality, indignity and injustice by amplifying people-centered narratives that challenge and deprecate harmful practices based on caste system. It promotes a deeper understanding of caste experience and instigates critical thinking by encouraging audience to self-interrogate their privilege and disadvantages as a direct result of their caste identity.
- First Iteration –the online calls:
The first iteration of Caste Conversation brought together global activists and advocates to share their experiences and discuss the challenges in combating the caste system. Over 14 insightful episodes, experts delved into a wide array of topics, such as the intersection of caste with gender and queerness, the critical role of reservation, the political economy of caste and gender, and much more. Watch all the Episodes here.
- Second Iteration – The talk
The first of the talk series in 2023 featured renowned scholar and activist Dr. Suraj Yengde, author of the bestseller Caste Matters and a Harvard Du Bois fellow. Dr. Yengde shared profound insights on caste dynamics, drawing from his research and experiences to highlight the complex intersections of caste with social and political life. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue, exchanging perspectives and examining the enduring challenges of caste discrimination and inequality. Watch the event here.
In 2025, Mr. Bezwada Wilson, a celebrated Indian activist and the National Convenor of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA) shared his learning from the experience of building a movement of sanitation workers in India with Nepali youth. Mr. Wilson won the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2016.
- Third Iteration – the television show
The third iteration of Caste Conversation culminated into a 12-episode national broadcast and engaged 84 young people aged 18-30 years representing diverse caste, gender, geography, physical abilities, and profession to openly discuss the caste and its intersections including gender, wellbeing, and climate change. The diverse group of youth shared their lived experiences, asked critical questions and exchanged their ideas to end the caste-based inequality, injustice and indignity. Watch the show here
