UK: MPs reject law against caste bias

Britain's parliament has decided not to criminalise discrimination against people because of their caste.

MPs voted against adding caste discrimination to the Equality Act by 307 to 243.

The move came as hundreds of people who say they have been victims of such prejudice in the UK protested outside Westminister.

The caste system is still prevalent in Indian culture, dividing the population by social status.

It is estimated there are about half a million people from the Dalit caste in the UK.

The Dalit case is the lowest group, traditionally referred to with the derogatory term, the "Untouchables."

Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward reports from London.