Bengaluru: On Saturday, June 3, a 35-year-old man committed suicide hours after submitting a complaint against his colleagues for caste-based harassment. Vivek Raj, an NIFT Bengaluru alumni, had been working in Bengaluru for the past ten years. Vivek Raj belonged to the Chamar community, which was classified as Scheduled Caste (SC).
Vivek Raj worked in Yemalur for Lifestyle International Private Limited. The Whitefield police have now charged reporting manager Malathi and coworkers Kumar Suraj and Nithesh Kumar with abetment to suicide. On Sunday, June 4, a FIR was filed based on a complaint lodged by Vivek’s father, Rajkumar.
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According to the FIR, Vivek had been subjected to mental harassment for several months, and casteist remarks were screamed at him. Despite approaching his superiors at work, nothing was done. Vivek sought counselling for emotional distress. Vivek Raj died by himself later that day after filing a case at the Marathahalli police station earlier that day.
According to Vivek Raj’s complaint to the Marathahalli police, he was harassed by his coworkers Malti S and Nitish Kumar because he was from a lower caste, and they used casteist insults against him. In his complaint, he stated, “When I complained to the company’s HR, Kumar Suraj, no action was taken.” As a result, I beg that you take appropriate action against them.” On June 3, the police filed a FIR under several sections of the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
