In a nation that often celebrates its strides in modernity and technological advancement, the ugly shadow of caste discrimination still lingers—sometimes even in the most elite and seemingly progressive spaces. This time, it has taken flight—literally. A disturbing incident involving a senior IndiGo pilot has shocked the country, sparking conversations about casteism at the workplace, especially in corporate and high-skilled sectors.
The pilot, who identifies as belonging to a Scheduled Caste (SC), has come forward with serious allegations against his employer and colleagues at IndiGo, one of India’s leading airlines. He claims that not only was he demeaned with casteist remarks, but also told he was “not fit to fly” and should instead “go stitch shoes”—a deeply offensive stereotype rooted in caste-based prejudice.
The Incident: What Happened?
The controversy came to light after the pilot formally lodged a complaint, alleging that he faced discrimination from his colleagues and superiors on multiple occasions. According to him, the casteist slurs were not just isolated insults but part of a larger pattern of systemic bias and workplace harassment.
One of the most disturbing comments allegedly made to him was:
“You are not fit to be a pilot. You people are born to stitch shoes.”
Such a remark, in addition to being personally degrading, highlights the persistence of caste-based stereotyping even in industries that rely on skill, merit, and global standards.
IndiGo’s Response
Following public outrage and social media coverage, IndiGo released a statement claiming that they take such allegations very seriously and that an internal inquiry has been initiated. The airline stated:
“We are aware of the matter and are investigating it with utmost urgency. IndiGo does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment at the workplace. If found guilty, strict action will be taken.”
While the airline’s statement attempts to do damage control, critics argue that such corporate responses often come only after public scrutiny—and rarely result in meaningful change unless legally mandated.
What the Law Says: Protections Against Casteism at Work
Under Indian law, caste-based discrimination in the workplace is a punishable offense. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 provides legal safeguards to SC/ST individuals against discrimination and humiliation in public and private institutions.
Additionally, Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. But despite legal protections, real-world enforcement remains weak, particularly in private corporations where caste identity is often hidden or suppressed.
A Broader Problem: Caste in Corporate India
Many believe that the aviation industry, like many other corporate sectors, maintains a façade of meritocracy while quietly enabling systemic exclusion and bias. In elite jobs—pilots, engineers, doctors, bureaucrats—those from marginalized communities often face subtle and overt challenges.
For SC/ST employees, merely breaking into these fields doesn’t mean the battle is over. They often face “microaggressions,” identity-based humiliation, slower promotions, and exclusion from informal networks. Cases like this bring those invisible battles into the public eye.
Reactions from Civil Society and the Public
The public response has been intense. Several social justice organizations, including Dalit rights groups and trade unions, have come forward in support of the pilot. Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have been flooded with hashtags like #DalitLivesMatter, #CasteDiscrimination, and #JusticeForPilot.
Prominent activists have also weighed in. One human rights lawyer commented:
“This incident reflects a deeper malaise within our society. It’s not just about one pilot. It’s about a system that allows caste bias to fester behind the walls of professionalism.”
Mental Health and Workplace Well-Being
Another major aspect to this issue is the mental toll casteism takes on employees. Being regularly humiliated at work can lead to anxiety, depression, and long-term emotional trauma. For professionals like pilots—whose jobs require focus, confidence, and responsibility—such hostility can severely affect performance and safety.
Need for Structural Change
It is high time corporate India confronts the caste elephant in the room. Diversity and inclusion programs often focus on gender and religion, but caste—arguably the oldest and most entrenched form of discrimination in India—is often ignored or merely tokenized.
Here are a few steps that companies, including airlines like IndiGo, must implement:
- Caste-sensitivity training for all employees
- Anonymous reporting mechanisms for caste-based abuse
- Transparent hiring and promotion practices
- Data collection on caste diversity (while respecting privacy laws)
Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call at 30,000 Feet
This incident is more than just a headline—it’s a mirror reflecting our society’s deep-rooted caste biases, even in the skies. While it’s shocking to hear such abuse directed at a trained, certified pilot, it’s a reminder that no profession is immune from discrimination unless actively prevented.
As the investigation unfolds, the pilot’s bravery in speaking out should not go unnoticed. His story is not just his own, but that of countless others who suffer in silence, across industries, across India.
Real justice will only come when corporations stop being reactive and start becoming proactively anti-discriminatory. Until then, every such case must be used as a platform to push for accountability and reform.