First Ever Uk Caste Discrimination Case Involves Sikhs.

[dalsingh101]

From The Independent:

Couple claim wrongful dismissal in UK's first 'caste bias' battle

By Emily Jupp

Thursday, 18 August 2011

An Indian couple who met at a UK law firm where they both worked are claiming wrongful dismissal because of discrimination by caste.

In the first case of its kind in the UK, the couple claim that the Coventry-based law firm Heer Manak Solicitors treated them differently after they married because they are from different castes.

Amardeep Begraj, 33, a former solicitor at the firm, hails from the higher caste of Jat, whereas her husband Vijay Begraj, 32, the former practice manager, belongs to the Dalits, also known as the 'untouchables'.

Ms Begraj told an employment tribunal in Birmingham that a senior colleague warned her against marrying Mr Begraj on the grounds that people of his caste were 'different creatures' and that his position in the firm was 'compromised'.

According to a report in The Times, Ms Begraj said she felt worried after hearing that her boss was involved in a gang that forced girls out of such relationships.

The partner in the law practice, Robin Heer allegedly once told her that he knew people who could do kneecappings.

Mrs Begraj said that her husband was told that Mr Heer would disapprove of their relationship because he had been involved in a gang that returned Jat girls in inter-caste relationships to their parents.

Andrew Marshall, acting for Heer Manak, said that Mr Heer denied the allegation.

Mrs Begraj was asked why the couple invited to their wedding all the senior lawyers against whom they were now claiming discrimination. She told the tribunal that she did not want to antagonise their bosses by not inviting them when other work colleagues had been invited.

The case comes as Home Secretary Theresa May considers whether to amend British equality law to include protection to those discriminated by caste.

Mr Begraj, who worked for the firm for seven years, was fired last year. His wife resigned in January.

See also:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2026939/Indian-couple-lost-jobs-centre-caste-discrimination-tribunal.html

[genie]

Old news, been discussed already. Problem doesn't lie with caste in this case. The problem lies that her partner is a Hindu and she a Sikh, if he had converted there wouldnt be an issue. It's not a caste bias as they claiming.

[Southall Youth]

Old news, been discussed already. Problem doesn't lie with caste in this case. The problem lies that her partner is a Hindu and she a Sikh, if he had converted there wouldnt be an issue. It's not a caste bias as they claiming.

well said!

[yubacitysingh]

be it caste discrimination or being angry cause girl married non sikh if the boss discriminated cause the guy is hiindu or different caste he's just some insecure <banned word filter activated> who is jealous cause he is constantly rejected by women

[hinduveer]

Ur wrong genie ji, its a caste thing, not a relogious one. The guy is a churah, marrying a jatt, that is what they are claiming. Plenty of hindu sikh marriages happem every week and its never a problem. Problem only arises when its involving low castes with high castes. Sad but true

[Dev1975]

I hope they take the law firm to the cleaners, use them as an example that ANY sort of discrimination will not be tolerated and should be treated with full force. Enough of this garbage!!

[SarabhaPanjab]

The whole Panjabi caste/religion thing is not black and white.

You have traditionally Sikh tribes, Traditionally Hindu tribes and then you have some Hindu's tribes that will matha tek at the Guru Ghar, show up for Diwali but that's about it.

In this case, the Girl's family were traditionally Sikh, the Guys family is hindu, there is not a Practising Sikh in his extended family.

When Sikhs marry, we have a cultural practise of "marrying families" not just the couple.

This is clearly a hindu family marrying a Sikh Girl.

The guy comes from a Hindu family. He may go Gurdwara once in a while, or done Anand Karaj, but as far as the families are concerned they are not Sikh.

The Guy can claim to be Sikh for the sake of this fraudulent case, but hes clearly not in appearance of a Sikh, nor is his family.

Hes a Sneaky typical money-hungry katchie trying to make a quick buck!

vijay Begraj's family are hindus.

this is vijay's first cousin:

http://www.facebook.com/Aquaboy84?sk=photos

check out his pics- nothing Sikhi related, hindu pics!.

[K Singh 82]

Ur wrong genie ji, its a caste thing, not a relogious one. The guy is a churah, marrying a jatt, that is what they are claiming. Plenty of hindu sikh marriages happem every week and its never a problem. Problem only arises when its involving low castes with high castes. Sad but true

According to the Hindu Caste System hierachy a jatt is also a low caste. Good job Sikhi rejects the caste System.

I've got a frind in UK that is of "chura" background and he is marrying a "jatt" girl...both are amritdhari and i don't see anyone making any noise at all - we're all really happy! Caste is not a problem, nor is colour.

Personally, i don't really care who marries who, provided this inter-religion marriage doean't take place in a Gurdwara. A Sikh marrying a Hindu (Muslim etc) in a Gurdwara is unacceptable and should never be allowed to take place unless they other embraces Sikhi.

[jassa]

Funny to see people are kinda ok with discrimination as it involves a hindu.

[dogra]

According to the Hindu Caste System hierachy a jatt is also a low caste.

Really, scriptures do not say such a thing, all functions are equal in helping society function for the better, dignity of labour for all functions:

In Bhagawad Gita, sloka 20, Chapter 10, Lord Krishna says,

In sloka (X.20)

"I am the Self seated in the heart of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle and the very end of all beings". All beings have, therefore to be treated alike

Thus, the central command of the 15 harmony richas and 10 profession not hereditary richas is that all Hindus are totally equal by birth, of one bunch, share same water and food, worship together united in same temple, common are the prayers, common be the purpose, common be thoughts, united like spokes of a wheel, common be oblation, friendly towards each others, etc. etc. One becomes a warrior (Rajnya), Brahman (educated ones) or rishi, not by birth but by his efforts/training (karma) vide RV (X.125.5). No one is superior by birth and no one is inferior by birth. In fact RV (V.60.5) reads “No one is superior (ajyestasa) or inferior (akanishtasa). All are brothers (ete bhrataraha). All should strive for the interests of all and should progress collectively. (sowbhagaya sam va vridhuhu