California regulators filed a lawsuit against the American multinational conglomerate, Cisco Systems Inc. For caste based discrimination against an Indian-American employee. The lawsuit, which does not name the victim. The company was accused of allowing the employee to be harassed. On the basis of his caste. By his managers who fall in the upper section of the Hindu caste hierarchy.
The unnamed employee has been serving as a principal engineer at Cisco’s San Jose headquarters since October 2015. And belonged to ‘Dalit’ caste in the Hindu caste hierarchy system, as reported by Reuters. Discrimination against the Dalit community has been in India up until 1950. When Article 15 of the Indian constitution came into force, abolishing discrimination in all its forms.
The Hierarchy Suppressing Lawsuit
The former engineering managers Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella have been accused of “internally enforcing the caste hierarchy”. They belong to the upper section of the caste hierarchy and thus harassed the victim on the basis of it.
Reuters also stated that the victim reported Sundar Iyer to Human Resources in November 2016. When Iyer outed him as a Dalit to other employees. However, Cisco determined that caste discrimination was not ‘illegal’ and thus the issue was stretched to 2018. In addition to it, Cisco has also been accused of “reassigning and isolating the employee and rejecting two promotions”. As stated in the lawsuit.
Cisco spokesperson, Robyn Blum, said that they would “vigorously defend” themselves against the lawsuit. In a statement on Tuesday, she also assured that Cisco is committed towards making an inclusive workplace for all. And the company is always in full compliance with its policies and regulations.
This lawsuit has also brought into picture a survey conducted in 2018 by Equality Lab. Which stated that 67% Dalits felt treated unfairly at their workplaces in the United States.
There is no protection against caste based discrimination in the US Employment law. Although considering the amount of Indians who migrate to the country every year in the quest for better opportunities. However, the California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing appealed in the lawsuit. The Hindu caste system is built on the foundation of certain classes. Which are protected by the law, such as religion.
