Rutgers University’s Decision on Caste as a Protected Category
Rutgers University, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, recently made a significant decision regarding the inclusion of caste as a protected category in its university policy. On January 14, the administration announced that they would not be adding caste as a separate protected category, citing that caste-based discrimination is already covered under existing categories such as race, ethnicity, ancestry, and national origin.
Anti-Caste Task Force and the University’s response
This decision comes as a response to a report published in August 2024 by the University’s Task Force on Caste Discrimination. The task force recommended the addition of caste as a protected category in the university’s anti-discrimination policy. However, similar to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of the SB403 bill, Rutgers University stated that caste discrimination is already covered under current protected categories.
The task force, led by Professor of History Audrey Truschke, was formed as part of an agreement between the university administration and the Rutgers AAUP-AFT union. In addition to recommending the inclusion of caste as a protected category, the task force also called for educational initiatives to raise awareness and address caste-related issues on campus, as well as data collection efforts to document instances of caste discrimination.
The university reiterated in their statement that caste-based discrimination is prohibited, and the Office of Employment Equity will explicitly state that caste falls under the existing anti-discrimination policy. Individuals who believe they have faced discrimination based on their caste can seek assistance from trained Intake Support Specialists to file a complaint or seek redressal.
Reactions from diaspora organizations
Following the university’s decision, various diaspora organizations have expressed differing opinions. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) welcomed the decision, questioning the motives behind the task force and its recommendations. They expressed concerns that the inclusion of caste could lead to profiling and discrimination against Hindu and Indian communities.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) echoed CoHNA’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of maintaining neutrality in anti-discrimination policies. On the other hand, Equality Labs, an anti-caste organization, praised the university for taking a clear stance against caste-based discrimination. Hindus for Human Rights, while disappointed with the decision, acknowledged the university’s acknowledgment of the prohibition of caste discrimination.
In conclusion, Rutgers University’s decision on caste as a protected category has sparked a range of responses from various organizations, highlighting the complexity of addressing caste-related issues in educational settings.
