Information on the government's position on the caste system, whether people are identified by caste for government affairs and on government documents, whether there is a sub-caste named Lal, what the name means in English, whether Lal is a family name, and if so, whether it indicates a person's caste [IND17699.E]

"Untouchability" is officially forbidden in article 17 of the Indian constitution (Flanz Oct. 1990, 50). According to a professor of political science specializing in India at the University of British Columbia, the government outlawed references to a person's caste within government documents at the time of independence (ibid.). He added that individuals have the right to take legal action if discriminated against on the basis of their caste (14 June 1994).

A professor of anthropology at McGill University specializing in India stated that the government maintains several affirmative action programs for members of scheduled tribes and castes (15 June 1994). He stated that these include reserved placement at colleges and universities, reserved jobs in the civil service and special credit for farmers (ibid.). According to the professor at UBC, the government has recently extended the same special benefits to members of the "backward" caste (14 June 1994).

A professor of history at the University of Toronto with expertise in India stated that he has heard of a group that identifies itself as Lal (15 June 1994). He stated that the term caste or subcaste is not appropriate to describe the group, which he stated is a "kin group" rather than a social class (ibid.). He could not offer additional information on the group (ibid.). He added that Lal is also the surname of many individuals from northern India (ibid.).

According to an official at the High Commission for India in Ottawa, a person's caste is not indicated on his or her passport, drivers licence or any other identification document currently issued by the Indian government (14 June 1994). The official stated that to the best of his knowledge, there is not a subcaste called Lal (ibid.). However, he stated that Lal is a very common family name (ibid.). He said that the literal translation of Lal is "red" (ibid.).

The professor at McGill stated that to the best of his knowledge, a person's caste is not indicated on documents such as passports or drivers licences (15 June 1994). However, he stated that as a result of affirmative action programs, it is possible that the government may issue certificates of eligibility to members of certain castes or may keep records to that effect (ibid.).

The professor stated that Lal is a common name in India and that it can be used as either a surname or a suffix to a surname (ibid.). He stated that although he was personally unaware of a caste or subcaste called Lal, it is entirely possible that such a group exists given the size of India's population and the complexity of the caste system (ibid.).

The professor at UBC was also unaware of a caste or subcaste called Lal (14 June 1994). He corroborated the fact that Lal is a very common surname or suffix, stating that it roughly means "revered person" (ibid.). He added that people from all castes are called Lal (ibid.).

A professor at the Joint Asia-Pacific Centre at York University was also unaware of a caste or subcaste called Lal (14 June 1994). She did not think a person could be associated with a particular caste if their name was Lal because the name is so common (ibid.).

For additional information that may be useful, please refer to the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Flanz, Gisbert H. October 1990. "India," Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications.

High Commission of India, Ottawa. 14 June 1994. Telephone interview with official.

Professor of anthropology specializing in India, McGill University, Montreal. 15 June 1994. Telephone interview.

Professor of history specializing in India, University of Toronto. 15 June 1994. Telephone interview.

Professor of anthropology specializing in India, Joint Asia-Pacific Centre, York University, Toronto. 14 June 1994. Telephone interview.

Professor of political science specializing in India, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. 14 June 1994. Telephone interview.

Attachments

The Encyclopedia of Religion. 1987. Vol. 15. Edited by Mircea Eliade. New York: MacMillian Publishing Company, pp. 188-89.

Flanz, Gisbert H. October 1990. "India," Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications, p. 50.

Rupa, C. 1992. Reservation Policy- Mandal Commission and After. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Private Ltd., pp. 22-39.