California Caste-Bias Case Misrepresents Hinduism, Suit Says

A Hindu advocacy organization accused California’s civil rights agency of violating the constitutional rights of Hindu Americans with its enforcement efforts targeting alleged caste bias against South Asian workers.

The Hindu American Foundation Inc. announced Thursday that it sued the California Department of Civil Rights in federal court, saying the agency sought to define what Hindus believe by asserting that caste-based discrimination is integral to their faith and culture.

The group called out the civil rights agency’s 2020 lawsuit against Cisco Systems Inc., which alleged a worker who’s a member of the Dalit population was paid less and suffered other ...