Dear Netters;
Here is an instance of casteism: we Indians carry it wherever we go
to. And it happened in a Solicitor's firm of Coventry, UK. Hearing of
the case is, however, continuing. It is from today's Metro (18 08 2011)
reported by Aidan Radnedge.
In recent years inter-caste marriages in India appear to be usual,
more so in an urban milieu.
-bhuban
Amardeep and Vijay Begraj outside the employment tribunal Picture:
Adam Gerrard (Picture not reproduced)
In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Britain, Vijay
Begraj and his wife Amardeep claim they were victimised by a firm of
solicitors because of their social backgrounds.
Mr Begraj, 32, belonged to the Dalits, dubbed ‘the untouchables’ and
considered the lowest caste in India, while his wife, 33, belonged to
the high-society Jats, who created the banghra scene.
They met when working for Coventry solicitors Heer Manak but claim
bosses frowned on their relationship and discriminated against them
after they got married three years ago.
A senior member of the firm had tried to persuade Mrs Begraj to call
off the wedding, she told an employment tribunal in Birmingham.
‘He said I should reconsider the step I was taking of marrying Vijay
because he was a different caste,’ she said. ‘People of Vijay’s caste
were different creatures. Marriage would be very different from
dating.’
Her workload allegedly increased while her secretarial support was
reduced and she was paid less than other solicitors. ‘Vijay was told a
number of times that his position had been compromised for entering
into a relationship with me,’ she added.
After eight months off following a car crash, she had a ‘back-to-work’
meeting in July 2008 but claimed the firm was reluctant for her to
return because she might be planning a family.
Mr Begraj, who worked as a practice manager for the firm for seven
years, was sacked last year. His wife resigned in January.
The firm denies claims including unfair constructive dismissal and
discrimination and the hearing continue
Read more:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/872684-indian-couple-were-cast-out-by-employers-over-class-divide-wedding#ixzz1VNMdndNX
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