A recent study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) in collaboration with Rutgers University has revealed that caste-based diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training programs in the United States are fostering anti-Hindu hatred instead of combating discrimination.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has raised awareness of this issue and criticized prominent media outlets, The New York Times (NYT) and Bloomberg, for allegedly suppressing the findings.
The study particularly focused on the impact of anti-caste training conducted by Equality Labs, a South Asian Dalit organization advocating for caste equity. Rather than reducing bias, the findings suggest that such training worsens anti-Hindu prejudice.
The Hindu American Foundation has expressed concerns that these programs promote hostility toward Hindus, exacerbating discrimination against them.
One of the study’s startling revelations was the reaction of participants exposed to Equality Labs’ materials. When the term “Jew” was substituted with “Brahmin” in the training content, respondents were significantly more likely to adopt dehumanizing rhetoric against Brahmins, using terms like “parasites,” “virus,” or “devil personified.” HAF highlighted this alarming trend as evidence that the training fosters division and intolerance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), HAF stated, “Instead of fighting discrimination, DEI programs like those by Equality Labs worsen racial suspicion and anti-Hindu hate.” The foundation also pointed out that participants exposed to Equality Labs’ training materials were 30 per cent more likely to perceive bias and harm in scenarios where none existed, compared to a control group that received neutral academic instruction on caste concepts such as varna and jati.
Download & read the groundbreaking @ncri_io report proving that some popular DEI trainings, including @EqualityLabs “caste” trainings, don’t eliminate discrimination & hate—they actually increase it.
Kudos to all of the authors for this courageous work!https://t.co/JksStMBoaK
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) November 26, 2024
The study’s implications are profound. Instead of fostering inclusion, these programs may be perpetuating a cycle of “punitive retribution,” as described by HAF. This raises significant questions about the efficacy and motivations behind certain DEI initiatives in corporate and educational spaces.
Adding to the controversy, HAF alleged that The New York Times and Bloomberg intentionally suppressed the study’s findings. According to the foundation, The New York Times initially planned to publish a story based on the study and even set a publication date but abruptly shelved it without explanation. Bloomberg also reportedly canceled its coverage of the report, allegedly influenced by editors sympathetic to DEI programs.
Colin Wright, an evolutionary biologist, criticized the media giants in his analysis of the situation. He noted that while The New York Times had previously referenced NCRI’s research in over 20 articles without requiring peer review, it demanded peer review for this study, seemingly as a pretext to avoid publication. Bloomberg, on the other hand, discarded the report outright.
The Hindu American Foundation called out this alleged media bias, stating, “Refusing to cover this case-control study censors critical information with immense repercussions for the Hindu American community.” The foundation urged both The New York Times and Bloomberg to release the study’s findings, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Equality Labs, the organization at the center of this controversy, describes itself as a civil rights group addressing caste discrimination. However, critics argue that its training materials propagate harmful stereotypes, fostering suspicion and division within South Asian communities.
This controversy underscores a broader debate about the role of DEI programs in addressing complex social issues like caste discrimination. While these initiatives are intended to promote equality, their unintended consequences, as highlighted by this study, demand a reevaluation of their methods and implementation.
The suppression of such findings by major media outlets raises concerns about journalistic integrity and the responsibility of media to ensure a balanced discourse. For the Hindu American community, this study serves as a wake-up call about the challenges they face in combating bias in the name of inclusion.
