Washington, April 9 (NationPress) The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has taken its case to a US appeals court, claiming that California’s civil rights authority has improperly associated caste discrimination with Hinduism and unfairly targeted Indian and South Asian communities. This case holds the potential to influence how caste issues are managed in American workplaces.

In a response brief submitted on April 6 to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, HAF requested the court to eliminate procedural obstacles that led to the dismissal of its lawsuit against the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). HAF asserted that the district court failed to delve into the substance of its allegations.

The foundation argues that the CRD’s enforcement strategy “explicitly and implicitly connects ‘caste’ to Hinduism and individuals of Indian or South Asian heritage,” thereby targeting a minority group.

This case originated from a notable complaint lodged by the CRD against Cisco Systems and two of its managers, accusing them of caste-based discrimination. The regulatory body publicly announced it had “sued Cisco Systems, Inc. and Former Managers For Caste-Based Discrimination,” taking action under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

HAF contends that the CRD “doubled down” on its assertion that Cisco should have taken measures to prevent caste discrimination “within its South Asian Indian workforce.” The foundation highlighted that the term “caste” is frequently mentioned in the agency’s ongoing complaint.

HAF maintains that the CRD’s framing is based on “racist and unequivocally false stereotypes” regarding Indians and Hindus, referencing the department’s past assertion that “India’s caste system” is “a strict Hindu social and religious hierarchy.”

Although the CRD has since retracted that language, claiming the matter is now moot, HAF insists that the fundamental issue remains.

“Eliminating the phrase ‘Hindu social and religious hierarchy’ does not alter the fact that the CRD is attempting to direct ‘caste’ policies specifically at the company’s Indian, South Asian, and Hindu workforce,” the foundation stated.

Needhy Shah, HAF Senior Legal Director, cautioned that the ramifications extend beyond this single case.

“The Hindu American, Indian American, and South Asian American communities are alarmed, and if they aren’t, they should be,” Shah warned.

“The CRD is trying to utilize its enforcement authority by singling out the very minority groups it is supposed to protect. Californians are paying close attention, as are employers and businesses regulated by the CRD,” Shah added.

She further emphasized, “The CRD is acting as a caste enforcer, attributing caste discrimination to Hinduism, and it’s only a matter of time until they identify their next target within the Hindu community.”

HAF is represented by lead counsel Tim Travelstead of Narayan Travelstead Ku P.C.

The decision by the Ninth Circuit on whether to reinstate the case could have significant consequences for the interpretation of caste within US civil rights law, particularly regarding Indian-origin communities.

Caste has become a divisive issue in certain regions of the United States, notably within technology workplaces with a substantial South Asian workforce. Some advocacy groups are advocating for explicit caste protections, while others argue that such measures risk perpetuating stereotypes against entire communities.