A recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) has revealed that certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) workshops focusing on caste and race narratives have proven to be counterproductive. The study, titled Instructing Animosity, stressed how these workshops can foster ‘otherization’ and deepen social divisions, intensifying participants' racialized perceptions and contributing to polarization.
The findings have prompted advocacy group CasteFiles to urge for more balanced and inclusive discussions on identity that avoid divisive rhetoric. ‘We feel deeply gratified and validated by the findings of the NCRI study. It reinforces our mission to promote mature and nuanced discussions on identity, free from the divisive rhetoric and 'Hostile Attribution Bias' identified by NCRI in these training sessions,’ said Richa Gautam, Founder of CasteFiles.
CasteFiles legal director Abhijit Bagal criticised mainstream media for overlooking the NCRI study and amplifying one-sided narratives on DEI. He further accused outlets of suppressing evidence-based challenges to caste-focused narratives, such as the dismissal of a caste discrimination lawsuit against two Hindu American managers at Cisco.
‘What is even more troubling is the suppression of the NCRI study by mainstream outlets, which instead amplify one-sided narratives on DEI,’ he said.
The group also highlighted their whistleblower platform, CasteGate.org, which has questioned media handling of high-profile cases. ‘Despite the dismissal, media outlets continued to treat baseless allegations as facts, ignoring evidence presented by investigative platforms like ours,’ Gautam said.
CasteFiles has taken legal action under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, filing complaints against universities incorporating caste-focused training and policies. A recent complaint against Rutgers University alleges that caste narratives have harmed Indian-American students rather than addressing discrimination.
Critiquing academic perspectives, Bagal questioned the consistency of Rutgers Chairperson Audrey Truschke's positions on caste. ‘In her earlier paper, Truschke labeled caste as synonymous with Hindu dharma, yet now describes it as a global social phenomenon. This inconsistency underscores the lack of accountability in such rhetoric,’ he said.
CasteFiles has called for a comprehensive review of DEI workshops to ensure they promote inclusion without perpetuating bias or regressive narratives.
