Based on Ashok Kumar’s complaint, a case has been registered against the three accused
NEW DELHI — A Scheduled Caste trainee pilot with IndiGo Airlines has filed a complaint alleging caste-based abuse and harassment by three of his colleagues. According to the complaint, the accused made derogatory remarks about the pilot’s caste, including telling him to “go stitch slippers” and implying that he was not fit to fly an aircraft.
The complainant, Ashok Kumar, alleged that his colleagues, Tapas Dey, Manish Sahani, and Rahul Patil, made casteist and abusive remarks in the presence of several other staff members, which he claims constitute grave offenses under the relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), media reports said on Monday.
Ashok Kumar stated that the remarks were made to humiliate him and undermine his dignity and status as a Scheduled Caste person.
“You are not fit to fly an aircraft, go back and stitch slippers, referring to my ancestral caste job. They said you are not even worthy to lick my shoe,” Ashok Kumar said in his complaint filed against his colleagues.
“One %#$@ has the guts to sit in front of me and ask for an explanation? You don’t have it in you to be a watchman in this building, and you are asking for an explanation?” Ashok Kumar further alleged, as per the complaint filed with the police.
Ashok Kumar also alleged that he was subjected to further ill-treatment, including forced corrective training, unauthorised salary cuts, and revocation of staff privileges.
Ashok Kumar claimed that despite reporting the matter to the CEO and Ethics Committee of IndiGo Airlines, no action was taken to address the injustice or protect his dignity and rights. The police have launched a further investigation into the allegations.
Based on Ashok Kumar’s complaint, a case has been registered against the three accused.
The incident highlights the need for stricter measures to prevent caste-based discrimination in workplaces. If proven true, the allegations would be a serious indictment of IndiGo Airlines’ policies and practices regarding diversity and inclusion. The case also underscores the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and ensuring that victims receive justice and support.
