A Birmingham employment tribunal has heard what is believed to be the first British case relating to the Indian caste system.

Although caste discrimination is believed to be rife in the UK’s Hindu community, this case is considered the first public complaint  – and the vanguard of other complaints in a campaign to include prejudice about caste in the definition of racism.

The tribunal heard Vijay and Amerdeep Begraj claimed they were harassed then sacked by solicitors Heer Manak in Coventry because their employer disagreed with their inter-caste marriage.

Heer Manak denied the allegations.

Almost like a modern-day ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Vijay, 32, a Hindu Jat met Amardeep, 33, a Sikh belonging to a higher caste while working for the solicitors.

They fell in love and married, facing objections from their employers – Amerdeep claims she was warned off the romance and warned marrying Vijay would lead to ‘potential problems’.

“I was told to reconsider the step I was taking of marrying Vijay because he was a different caste. People of Vijay’s caste were different creatures. Marriage would be very different from dating,” she told the tribunal.

Nevertheless she went ahead with the marriage only to find her workload increasing while other solicitors were paid more for doing less.

She decided to resign after her husband was sacked after seven year’s service.

The tribunal reserved judgement. Mr Begraj is claiming wrongful dismissal and his wife is claiming unfair constructive dismissal, both on the grounds of religion and race.

Caste is an Indian class system based on race and religion that determines social relationships between families and individuals. The ‘untouchables’ are at the base of the caste system.

Consultation is ongoing to decide whether to include caste as a form of discrimination in the Equality Act.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has stated that they feel caste is already covered under the act – but this test case should clarify the position.

This article  is filed under: Discrimination, Diversity, Legal, Leadership, Minorities, Role models