Rutgers Rejects Adding Caste As A Separate Category In Non-Discrimination Policy

Photo: Rutgers University

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Rutgers University has decided to maintain its stance on caste discrimination, affirming its commitment to preventing such behavior on campus, but opting not to make “caste” a separate protected category within its non-discrimination policies. This decision came after reviewing the findings of its task force on caste discrimination, which had been formed through an agreement between Rutgers and the Rutgers AAUP-AFT union.

The task force, which released its report in August 2024, acknowledged that caste-based discrimination exists at Rutgers, stating that it “limits the potential and opportunities of some in our university community.” However, rather than calling for caste to be added as a distinct category in the university’s discrimination policy, the task force recommended that caste-based discrimination should fall under broader existing categories, such as race, religion, ancestry, and national origin.

In a statement issued on January 13, Rutgers confirmed that it would continue to ban all forms of caste-based discrimination but clarified that existing policies already provide sufficient protection. The university outlined that it would enhance communication regarding the scope of its anti-discrimination policies, including caste-related issues, through official channels such as the Office of Employment Equity (OEE) website. Moreover, Rutgers plans to introduce caste-related questions in future campus climate surveys, allowing the university to gather data on the prevalence and impact of caste discrimination, which would inform the development of future policies and educational initiatives.

The decision was met with support from the Hindu American Foundation, which praised Rutgers for rejecting the call to create a separate caste category. It agreed with the university’s conclusion that caste discrimination is adequately addressed through existing categories like religion, ancestry, and national origin.

Similarly, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) welcomed Rutgers’s stance. In particular, CoHNA supported the idea that caste discrimination is already covered by existing policies, including those addressing discrimination based on ancestry and national origin. CoHNA’s youth network at Rutgers had argued that adding caste as a category could lead to profiling and discrimination against Hindu and Indian-origin students. “I am glad that the Rutgers University Labor Relations office recognized that caste is already covered under their current policy and did not fall for the report by the task force, which singled out Hindu students and faculty,” said Hitesh Trivedi, Associate Hindu Chaplain at Rutgers University.

Over the past months, Hindu students and community leaders at Rutgers have voiced concerns over what they saw as a growing effort to manufacture a sense of “caste consciousness” on campus. One student, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared how intimidating it was to speak up in such an environment but expressed relief that the administration had listened to the concerns of students. Rutgers has assured that its existing policy continues to protect all students and faculty from harassment and bullying, regardless of caste.

The university’s decision also aligns with legal precedents seen in California. In 2023, a lawsuit filed by the State of California against two Indian American engineers at Cisco for caste discrimination was dismissed “with prejudice.”

CoHNA President Nikunj Trivedi remarked that the Rutgers decision was “grounded in reason and facts versus the emotions of a small privileged set of activists” and urged the university to ensure that future surveys on caste do not foster biased responses or reinforce stereotypes.