Jersey City Honors Ambedkar, Fights Caste Bias in U.S.

Jersey City Honors Ambedkar’s Legacy

• Breaking Barriers in U.S. Law

• Fighting Caste Discrimination in America

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive

Jersey City’s Fourth Annual Equality Day celebration paid a historic tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and honored the advocacy work of Advocate Swati Sawant, one of the few Dalit attorneys actively fighting caste discrimination cases in the USA. Held on April 14, 2025, the flag-raising ceremony recognized the enduring influence of Dr. Ambedkar, often hailed as the chief architect of India’s Constitution.

At the event, Council President Joyce Watterman and Councilman Rich Boggiano praised Sawant’s contributions. Watterman formally presented her with the Equality Day proclamation—a recognition Sawant herself had envisioned and drafted during her tenure on the Jersey City Immigrant Affairs Commission. In her role, Sawant persistently pushed to include caste as a recognized axis of discrimination, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles that delayed the initiative’s adoption.

“Sprouts News” was on the ground to capture these transformative moments, where Dalit voices found a platform in the heart of one of America’s most diverse cities.

• Equality Day Jersey City: From Mumbai’s Lanes to U.S. Courtrooms: Swati Sawant’s Resilient Journey

Swati Sawant’s life story is interwoven with determination and generational dreams. Raised in Mumbai by parents who defied patriarchal norms to educate four daughters, Sawant inherited a legacy of resilience. Her grandmother, a vegetable vendor, and her grandfather, a cement factory worker, migrated from Khutbaon village to Mumbai with hopes of a better future.

Inspired early by Dr. Ambedkar’s teachings, Sawant aspired to become a barrister. Her ambition led her to pursue law at the prestigious Government Law College in Mumbai. Later, she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights from the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru.

Breaking away from traditional career paths favored in India, she set her sights internationally. Sawant’s decision to study human rights law at American University’s Washington College of Law in the U.S. signaled a bold leap—one rarely taken by her peers in legal studies at the time.

“Coming to America alone to study law as a Dalit woman was not just a personal milestone—it was a statement,” Sawant emphasized during her exclusive conversation with Sprouts News.

• Equality Day Jersey City: Battling Caste Discrimination in America’s Legal Landscape

Pioneering Caste Discrimination Cases in the USA

Swati Sawant’s groundbreaking work extends beyond immigration and employment law; she is a pioneer in addressing caste-based discrimination within the United States legal system. In February 2018, she filed one of the first caste discrimination cases with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in New York. Representing a Nepali citizen who was harassed and fired due to his caste identity, Sawant brought to light an often-overlooked form of workplace discrimination.

Her efforts have not only provided justice to marginalized individuals but have also established important legal precedents in American civil rights jurisprudence. As a seasoned immigration attorney, she also represents survivors of violence and trafficking under humanitarian protections like asylum, VAWA petitions, U visas, and T visas.

Urban development and real estate sectors, increasingly concerned with workplace inclusion and equal opportunity compliance, can look to Sawant’s cases as a reminder that caste equity is now an emerging compliance area even outside traditional diversity frameworks.

• Equality Day Jersey City: Rooted in Personal Legacy, Driven by Justice

The Making of a Human Rights Advocate

When asked who inspired her, Sawant speaks passionately about Dr. Ambedkar’s enduring impact and her mother’s indomitable spirit. Growing up, she directly witnessed the oppressive structures of caste and gender discrimination, which fueled her pursuit of social justice law.

“My mother was fearless,” Sawant recalled. “Watching her fight for dignity gave me the courage to challenge injustice, even when I had to stand alone.”

Her philosophy education from Mumbai’s Ruia College enriched her legal training, instilling a critical perspective on ethics, justice, and systemic reform—an asset particularly relevant for policy-making in urban development and real estate law sectors, where equitable access remains a critical issue.

Also Read: HDFC Under Fire in Massive Maharashtra Real Estate Loan Fraud.

Swati Sawant’s Ongoing Impact on Policy and Advocacy

Beyond the courtroom, Sawant continues to shape public dialogue around caste and civil rights in America. Through initiatives like Equality Day in Jersey City, she has carved out spaces for marginalized communities to be seen and heard in civic processes.

Sprouts News has repeatedly highlighted how advocates like Sawant are essential in shaping inclusive cities where every resident, regardless of background, has a fair opportunity to succeed. As real estate law evolves to tackle issues of equity and urban development faces demands for greater social justice, voices like Swati Sawant’s remain more crucial than ever.

In her words:
“Justice isn’t just about individual cases—it’s about building systems where everyone can belong, without fear or discrimination.”