Caste Discrimination Case: CA Court Rejects HAF Argument

India-West News Desk

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On August 12, a federal court in California dismissed the Hindu American Foundation’s attempt to portray legal action against caste-based discrimination as a violation of religious freedom.

The legal dispute goes back to 2020, when the California Civil Rights Department, (formerly Department of Fair Employment and Housing) filed a lawsuit against tech giant Cisco Systems. The CRD alleged that the company engaged in caste-based discrimination against an employee of Indian descent.

HAF took up the case and in September 2023, filed an amended complaint, adding 12 plaintiffs, including three who remained anonymous, stating that the lawsuit against Cisco would infringe on their religious freedom.

CRD challenged the anonymity of these plaintiffs. The court agreed, rejecting the anonymity because their claims were “vague and conclusory” and did not meet the legal standards required to protect their identities.

The court also stated that “personal discomfort with the Department’s Cisco Action” did not constitute a “plausible likelihood of threats or harm.”

HAF has been given one more opportunity to amend its complaint. It will either have to name the plaintiffs or have them removed from the case.