Ambedkarite groups in the US and UK
These are the types of groups we’ll be looking at: community, advocacy, and study groups. Members of the Dalit Diaspora have organized themselves for more than two decades. Organizing accelerated in the last decade to include campaigning for the adoption of caste-related policies in the workplace and higher learning. The following is a brief outline of some of the main Ambedkarite groups in the U.S. and U.K. and the work that they do, as well as the criticism levied against them. This is not an exhaustive list and does not prioritize or give endorsement to any of the groups.
Ambedkarite groups in the U.S.
Thenmozhi Soundararajan is the co-founder, along with Nisha Agarwal, of Equality Labs, a Dalit civil and human rights organization based in Oakland, California, which, according to Wikipedia (“Thenmozhi Soundararajan”) claims to be the largest of its kind in the U.S. Equality Labs says that its advocacy work was instrumental in getting the caste ban in Seattle and in getting the California State University system and Alphabet Workers Union to include caste in their protected class status (InfluenceWatch, “Equality Labs,” summarizing work done by the group and cited by Equality Labs). Equality Labs also conducted a 2018 survey on caste and discrimination in America. The survey was the focus of the Carnegie Endowment’s criticism of methodology. Equality Labs describes itself as an interdisciplinary social justice organization.
AIC. A civil rights group formed in 2012 to unite Dalits in diaspora in the USA (Bharatpedia, ‘Ambedkar International Center’). They bought a 13.2 acre land in May 2013, to establish the first Ambedkar International Center in the west (Bharatpedia). As we post earlier, they are based in Maryland, where a 19 foot tall statue of Ambedkar was unveiled in 2023.
AKSC. Is a solidarity group from California who, along with other supporters from USA and UK, wrote to Cisco to end caste discrimination in the Silicon Valley (Ambedkar King Study Circle, “Solidarity statement to end caste practices in Silicon Valley and the USA”). The statement also provides information on work of other supporters including Dalit Solidarity Network UK and International, and the International Dalit Solidarity Network. Their work involves organizing study circles and debates and extending solidarity to Black, Indigenous and people of color (BRAmbedkar.in, 2025).
Ambedkar Association of North America (AANA). The same directory explains their work as strengthening the Ambedkarite identity in North American diaspora through cultural events and activities and education (BRAmbedkar.in, 2025). Equality Labs describes AANA as a strategic partner (InfluenceWatch).
Tech Workers for Caste Equity. A group of tech workers from the Seattle area who have supported the local anti-caste ordinance, as described in our case study of Silicon Valley.
What they do
Dalit diaspora organizing in the US has three major strands. The first is policy work, including the recent series of victories in Seattle (ordinance) and on various university campuses (coverage here). The second is community and cultural work, including the celebration of Ambedkarite events and memorials. The third is coalition work, including the collective statements that we cover here. Equality Labs says it has worked with more than 300 community organizations (Wikipedia, “Thenmozhi Soundararajan”).
Organizations in the UK
Long term campaigning in the UK also includes anti-caste activism from the 1970s (if not earlier) (Santosh Dass, “The Campaign to Outlaw Caste Discrimination in Britain” in Ambedkar in London, summary by The Quint). Some of the leading organizations include the Dalit Solidarity Network UK (DSN UK), the Voice of Dalit International, CasteWatch UK and the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA) (The Quint, “After US, Ambedkarites in UK Renew Their Struggle for Caste Legislation”).
DSN UK published the book No Escape: Caste Discrimination in the UK, which includes a foreword by Jeremy Corbyn (The Quint). Additionally, DSN UK wrote the Caste in the UK: a briefing which we cite in our UK resource guide.
The ACDA was the first organization to take up the cause of enacting a Caste Discrimination law (Dass, 2019) (The Quint). In 2020, the ACDA condemned a caste-based question on a matrimonial website which allowed users to exclude Scheduled Castes (see our post on Caste Matrimony).
CasteWatch UK. As our UK guide describes, CasteWatch UK, in March 2025, welcomed the call for caste to be included in the Equality Act, during a debate in Parliament.
Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK (FABO UK). According to our post on Ambedkar House London, and our guide to caste discrimination in the UK, FABO UK, helped to organise the 1991 centenary celebrations that resulted in a blue plaque being placed on the house in London where Dr Ambedkar once lived, as well as donating a bust of Dr Ambedkar to LSE.
Criticism of some groups
There are opposing views to these groups. The Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS), an Indian think tank, says in the article “Ambedkar Weaponised!”, that groups including Equality Labs, the Ambedkar International Center, the Ambedkar King Study Circle, CasteWatch UK, ACDA, and the International Dalit Solidarity Network have deviated from the principles of Ambedkar and have anti-Hindu agendas. There is no response to this article from the mentioned groups. Hindu American Foundation and similar groups have similarly critical views on caste-based legislation, as per our guide on caste laws across the world. These groups position themselves as advocacy and anti-caste groups. Individuals are encouraged to review the groups’ statements and make their own conclusions.
How to join a group
Look for events on group sites or social media. Many hold events to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti in April and Dalit History Month. Look for yourself the best way to get involved and what each group aims to do. Our Movement page offers free resources to learn skills.
Why organizing matters
Many cases from the series started from a community group documenting what happened to them. Communities learn to do this using various resources and skills like blogging and emailing. The Ambedkarite Educational Program was created to teach communities these skills.
Takeaway
EqualiteLabs and the Ambedkar International Center are groups in the US. The Ambedkar King Study Circle, and the Ambedkar Association of North America are also in the US. In the UK, Dalit Solidarity Network UK, the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, CasteWatch UK and FABO UK are groups. These groups work on law and policy, create community events and write joint statements. The groups are critized for moving away from what they say is true Ambedkarite principles and work. Some say these groups work on anti-caste advocacy. The Guide is not an exhaustive resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ambedkarite groups?
They are community, cultural and advocacy organisations that follow Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s ideas. Some focus on Buddhist and cultural events, and others campaign on caste law and policy.
Which Ambedkarite organizations are in the USA?
Examples include Equality Labs (Oakland), the Ambedkar International Center (Maryland), the Ambedkar King Study Circle (California) and the Ambedkar Association of North America.
Which Dalit organisations are in the UK?
Examples include Dalit Solidarity Network UK, the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, CasteWatch UK, Voice of Dalit International and FABO UK.
What do Dalit diaspora groups do?
They campaign for laws and policies against caste discrimination, document members’ experiences, hold cultural events and issue joint statements.
Are these groups controversial?
Some critics, including an Indian think tank, say certain groups promote anti-Hindu agendas. The groups describe their work as anti-caste advocacy. This guide reports both views.
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SOURCES
- Wikipedia, “Thenmozhi Soundararajan”
- InfluenceWatch, “Equality Labs”
- Bharatpedia, “Ambedkar International Center”
- Wikipedia, “Ambedkar International Center”
- Ambedkar King Study Circle, “Solidarity statement to end caste practices in Silicon Valley and the USA”
- BRAmbedkar.in, “Dr. B. R. Ambedkar International Associations”
- The Quint, “After US, Ambedkarites in UK Renew Their Struggle for Caste Legislation”
- CIHS, “Ambedkar Weaponised!”
