Caste stereotypes in the private sector recruitment and views about Jats

[ndalal]

Recently I come across an article which talks about caste stereotypes in the recruitment process in private sector. Here I am pasting the specific parts of the article where Jats are discussed.
‘In the name of Globalisation: Meritocracy, Productivity and the Hidden Language of caste’ Article by Surinder S. Jodhka and Katherine Newman in Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.42, No.41 (Oct 13-19, 2007)

This paper draws on interview data to analyse the attitudes of employers/hiring managers in India’s organized private sector towards the caste and community attributes of their potential employees.
In one of the interview of HR manager quoted in the paper , ‘If we go down to the south, say Chennai, Bangalore... that part of the country has a different attitude and they work much better. Basically it is the culture of the area. The feedback from the customer is that the service in those regions is much better. If I go to Noida area (in Uttar Pradesh), the social system is not balanced. If I go to Gurgaon, it is the most horrifying because of the concentration of jats there. They are very arrogant. In India, this is the community which is most unsophisticated. The most rough community is the haryanvi community. They don't understand logic, their blood starts boiling fast. In terms of discipline, commitment and confinement to rule, I find it is least in these people’

‘Caste plays an important role in organising the rural labour force. As Vincor (Senior HR Manager, India Motors) explained, even the unions are structured by caste: Nearly 450 workers belong to the local dominant caste of jats and another 250 to 300 come from another dominant caste of ahirs. Around 100 to 150 would be from different backward castes. Our workers are also organised on caste lines. Trade union elections are mostly on caste lines.... The jat group is arrogant. They do not listen to any one. Ahirs are tamed. Brahmans are more learned and they speak well and schedule castes are not vocal.

‘If we recruit 50 people, not more than 10 to 12 local jats are recruited and the rest should be from diverse background. We need a loyal and obedient workforce. People who will listen to us and work religiously’

 

[rekhasmriti]

Thats the view which every one has for Jats

i guess we all are working on improving this image a lot

but yar ek din mei nahi hoga----it would take time

but hoga zaroor---- i bet

even i m so tired of listening same comments-------but i guess Jats like me has changed their opinion

 

[phoolkumar]

The areas we need to work or demand from politicians:
1) We should demand the government to bring such policies, which could put Jat or on big scale Farmer Child in learning process. Our problem is that when we enter in private field sector, chances are fatal that except academic knowledge, we might carry any practical knowledge about our job and job environment and especially in comparison to other castes.

2) We should get policies like "Right to decide the price of our crops in our hand" see my article on same under "Editorial" section of Jatland site itself.

3) We should get our cultural system recognized and protected by government officially.

4) We should demand our Khaps (I don't know if any Khap is officially registered today if so please help me in enriching my concept on it) and Khap leaders to declare them under constitution if not directly then by declaring themselves as NGO's or a special sact to be recognized by respective state government a minimum. Or whatever mean is possible for them point to say is that now they should get registered or atleast organize themselves under one flag.

5) Khaps should take part in politics atleast for deciding good MLA and MP's for us, good means of our culture and values like MNS is doing in Mumbai for Maratha community. Who is doing it in Jatland, where we are seeing day-by-day a huge pool of migrants and job seekers entering our states. They have now started shading our culture too. Bangalies, Bihaaries etc.

6) Sach kahun jab TV's pe apni castes and Khaps ko uselessly pulling hote dekhta hoon to samjh mein aata hai ki kyon Mumbai mein MNS and Shivsena bani....aur man karta hai ki ab NCR mein bhi inko tackle karne ke liye koi Jat-Sena ya Khap-Sena kyon nahin bani.....aur ye TV pe bolte bhi jyada wo hain jo out of Haryana ya so called Jatland se baahar ke hain aur hamaare issues pe samjh na ke barabar rakhte hain.....but ye apna kaam karte hi is point pe hain ki apni caste ki kamiyon pe parda daalna hai to doosri castes ki kamiyon ko pakada lo and thats all. Isse tume more civilezed to lagoge hi saath samaaj sochega ki tumhe samaaj ki chinta hai aur bade samaajsudharak ho jabki kahaani hoti hai apni caste pe koi ungli na uthaaye kisi mudde ko le ke isliye unse pahle tum hi utha do same mudde ko le ke doosri caste pe ungli aur wo caste milti bhi hai to konsi...ghoom fir ke ek hi to hai "JATS". Kyonki Jats ko khud to kuchh bolna nahin hota in issues pe aur sun bhi chupchap lete hain so lapetate raho aur naam aur paisa kamaate raho.

7) Urban Jats should pay their duties to rural Jat improvement, this is most serious issue where most of us hardly care to look back to our roots and get the rectify. We all are so busy in setting our - our chilren's life that no body give a pinch to rural part of our community. Rather we start adopting the culture of urban people instead of improving our own.

8) We should learn how to critisize or tackle others on same line for example if they come to us taking some weak point of our culture, we should also revert them on spot or later with same argue in their caste if necessary otherwise best solution is to avoid such situation or catch the guy on such argues out of office. Out of office means not to harm them physically but to argue with them on same logics verbally, vocally. It would be good to keep your office image intact in office and get that guy on track with his/her opinions about you and your community.

9) Time has come to look into others social values and their loop holes specifically. See how much the other caste guys by whatsoever means of Media or researches they are engaged in social problems of our communities. They do so because they know that we should be engulfed in our social problems only and they would be doing the things the way they want. Whereas the truth is that they are afraid of the same weaknesses in their own community and in the fear of what others will say about they start pick-pointing towards you with same issue.

सार यह है कि हम जाट भावुक बहुत हैं और जैसे कोई दूसरी जाति का हमारा सहकर्मचारी हमको हमारे जातिगत या सांस्कृतिक मुद्दे पे चिढाने या नीचा महसूस करवाने की सोचता है तो हम भावना-वश उस पर गुस्सा हो जाते हैं और इस गुस्से में ये भी सोचना भूल जाते हैं की यह समस्या तो इसकी खुद की जाति में भी है, ज्यों की त्यों न हो पर होती तो जरूर है सो ऐसे मौकों पर हमें धीरज से proactive approach काम लेते हुए, उसी को इस बात पे घेरना चाहिए| विश्वास दिलाता हूँ वो बंदा/बंदी फिर कभी उस मुद्दे पे आपके आगे बोल जाए तो|

इसलिए तो कहा गया है कि गाँव में आप बादशाह होंगे तो वो वहीँ तक छोड़ के आइये, शहर में आके आपकी कीमत आपके घर-खेत में काम कर रहे किसी बिहारी या धिहाड़ी मजदूर जैसी ना रहे उसके लिए काम कीजिये|

परन्तु इसके साथ-साथ ऊपर दिए गए और ऐसे ही बहुत सारे बिन्दुओं पर हमें अपने स्तर पर भी काम करने होंगे और वो काम समाज को बता के दिखा के करने होंगे ताकि अपने समाज को अपने साथ जोड़ के रख सकें और उसमें हम जुड़े भी रह सकें|

 

[puneetlakra]

unko chaploose chahiye , hum nahi kar sakte ,
corporate sector me kabhi kabhi work attitude sabit karne ke liye apni dignity ko bhi daav par lagana padta hai , jo jat aasani se nahi karta

 

[swaich]

I think the skills that corporate sector demands are somewhat different from what most Jats from rural areas are used to. One can't be quick tempered for example. If a client says derogatory things about your product or service, one has to try and not respond in the same vein. One has to persevere. You could disagree with your boss but have to still do the job as he says, because he's the boss. And let's face it, most Jats especially from the rural background have a style of talking that seems rude or abrasive to someone who isn't a local.

I knew a guy in Genpact who would change his style of talking when he spoke in English but would talk in natural style when talking in Haryanvi. So one has to adapt. It's not that there's anything lacking skill wise. It's just the need for softer skills that is different in the corporate sector.

 

[sunillore]

unko chaploose chahiye , hum nahi kar sakte ,
corporate sector me kabhi kabhi work attitude sabit karne ke liye apni dignity ko bhi daav par lagana padta hai , jo jat aasani se nahi karta

bilkul sahi kaha!
ve to chaploose kar kar ke higher positions pe chale jate hain aur phir apne community ke logo ko bhi upar chadne me help karte hai, dusri caste ya religion me bonding bahut jyada hai. ek HR manager interview ke time par apni caste ya religion vale ko pahle lega kisi aur ko baad me. agar jat bhai bhi ek dusre ki madad kare to is tarah ki report publish hone ki nobat na aaye...

 

[rekhasmriti]

that every sector has not just mnc ( chaploos)

boss---har jagah har type ke log hote hai
hard working-smart-logical-intelligent

n spoons

agree-----in MNC----yes boss bahut hota hai( coz its not govt job----ki perks n benefits hamesha hi aate rahenge)

but that does not mean-----har koi aisa hai

this is a myth about MNCs----ke every promotion happens coz of chamchagiri

till now i have never seen any Jat ------at higher level----i menat HR profession ( mera itna acha PR nahi hai---so may be ho)

the problem they have------even if they are right---strong words----not to accept any feedback attitude-------unhe duba deta hai

so kahin na kahin----this is our upbringing------jo humei sikhata hai -----bhai bas hum hi hai---rest bahd mei jaye

lemme share an eg------
i was handling one case------2 min ka discussion---n find that person so damn rude n blunt------
galti hote huye bhi------bewajah hero ban raha


later i realised ----got to know-----bhai woh Jat hai-------
n i have same feedback----ma'am woh jat hai---aise hi bat karega

ab ismei kahan se aa gayee chaplusi------but useless attitude------
that guy has blocked all his chances of next promotion--------although was a good performer

kahin na kahin----humara issue

please do not blame system----if system is working for everyone else not for us


so its not the system----its us

unko chaploose chahiye , hum nahi kar sakte ,
corporate sector me kabhi kabhi work attitude sabit karne ke liye apni dignity ko bhi daav par lagana padta hai , jo jat aasani se nahi karta

 

[sunillore]

the problem they have------even if they are right---strong words----not to accept any feedback attitude-------unhe duba deta hai

I think you are in HR profession, if yes then please think it can be a result of displaced aggression. let us share an example :
A businessman who is frustated by high taxes reprimands an employee, who swallows his anger until he reaches home and then yells at his wife, who in turn yells at her children, who then tease their dog.

our main problem is that we can not express ourself, our point of views in a proper manner. gussa aa jata hai.

 

[rekhasmriti]

Karna padega control

woh apke biwi bache nahi

ur msg n Hr is sitting h over there

my advice to such people----if u do not how to talk better stay shut up

I think you are in HR profession, if yes then please think it can be a result of displaced aggression. let us share an example :
A businessman who is frustated by high taxes reprimands an employee, who swallows his anger until he reaches home and then yells at his wife, who in turn yells at her children, who then tease their dog.

our main problem is that we can not express ourself, our point of views in a proper manner. gussa aa jata hai.

 

[rekhasmriti]

U can not show ur agression on ur boss

so many times i get friustrated----over burden of work

but kam karne ke do tarike

Either start loving your job or find another one

Karna padega control

woh apke biwi bache nahi

ur msg n Hr is sitting h over there

my advice to such people----if u do not how to talk better stay shut up

 

[sunillore]

U can not show ur agression on ur boss

but kam karne ke do tarike

Either start loving your job or find another one

mare kahne ka matlab ye nahi ki boss se ladai kar betho ya kisi ka sir phod do, par jaisa apne likha ye agar supervisor ya boss kahe to sahi hai par HR ..... phir HR ki post ka matlab kya hua.....find the reason behind that and solve...

ye to wahi hua ki ya to chamchagiri karo ya ......

 

[rekhasmriti]

HR is the neutral party

if u do not want to lay or thoughts in front of her----n start showing attitude

please avoid

she has got xillion things to do

mare kahne ka matlab ye nahi ki boss se ladai kar betho ya kisi ka sir phod do, par jaisa apne likha ye agar supervisor ya boss kahe to sahi hai par HR ..... phir HR ki post ka matlab kya hua.....find the reason behind that and solve...

ye to wahi hua ki ya to chamchagiri karo ya ......

 

[kapdal]

Nice topic. The full paper can be seen here:
http://dalitssouthasia.org/download/epw/Jodhka%20and%20Newman.pdf

One of the other topics the paper touches upon is the view of reservations in private sector. No surprises - it considers reservations as really bad and a signal of "lack of merit". It is a biased, prejudiced view. But it is what it is. Jat andolan for reservation has exposed the community to the same signal. That is, the perception that they need reservations because they are not meritorius. It would have been good if the benefits of reservations were measured against potential long term ill-effects.

 

[kapdal]

It is a very nice academic work that exposes the prejudiced mindset of a majority of India's modern, urban class, which considers itself to be liberal. They will rant against casteism and reservations and simultaneously make prejudiced remarks against certain caste groups, not realising that they are themselves casteist!

1. Views and decisions are shaped by perceptions. Like there is a perception in and around Delhi that anyone speaking khadi boli is a Jat. Taking it on in an aggressive way like MNS or Shiv Sena is going to make the perception even worse. Afterall, how many of us would view MNS/Shiv Sena in positive light if we were in Mumbai? An argument can never be won by bashing a head. The way to tackle negative perception is to bring the positives out. The community needs to higlight its contribution to defence forces and sports in a big way.

2. Being casteist in terms of discriminating against other castes at work place will never help in improving the image. When we don't like others discriminating against us, how do we expect others to like us if we do the same. It is a myth as well that you can't get a job or do well in it without caste connection. Lots of jats are breaking into new fields where there were no jats before.

3. Negative perceptions can be broken by communication. It is a pity that many Jats don't want others to know that they are jats, while many others don't want anything to do with non-jats. The person with most negative perception about Jats is likely to be the one who has only known jats as "those people". If someone has jat friends and knows about their good qualities, it is unlikely they will have strong views like expressed in opening post. So it is rather obvious that community needs to connect better with others rather than be inward looking in approach.

Finally, not all jobs are meant for everyone. Corporate managers wanting obedient work force is a bit like feudal lords wanting obedient slaves. One has to be skilled, professional, etc. etc; but obedience is not always a virtue.

 

[drrajpalsingh]

It is a very nice academic work that exposes the prejudiced mindset of a majority of India's modern, urban class, which considers itself to be liberal. They will rant against casteism and reservations and simultaneously make prejudiced remarks against certain caste groups, not realising that they are themselves casteist!

1. Views and decisions are shaped by perceptions. Like there is a perception in and around Delhi that anyone speaking khadi boli is a Jat. Taking it on in an aggressive way like MNS or Shiv Sena is going to make the perception even worse. Afterall, how many of us would view MNS/Shiv Sena in positive light if we were in Mumbai? An argument can never be won by bashing a head. The way to tackle negative perception is to bring the positives out. The community needs to higlight its contribution to defence forces and sports in a big way.

2. Being casteist in terms of discriminating against other castes at work place will never help in improving the image. When we don't like others discriminating against us, how do we expect others to like us if we do the same. It is a myth as well that you can't get a job or do well in it without caste connection. Lots of jats are breaking into new fields where there were no jats before.

3. Negative perceptions can be broken by communication. It is a pity that many Jats don't want others to know that they are jats, while many others don't want anything to do with non-jats. The person with most negative perception about Jats is likely to be the one who has only known jats as "those people". If someone has jat friends and knows about their good qualities, it is unlikely they will have strong views like expressed in opening post. So it is rather obvious that community needs to connect better with others rather than be inward looking in approach.

Finally, not all jobs are meant for everyone. Corporate managers wanting obedient work force is a bit like feudal lords wanting obedient slaves. One has to be skilled, professional, etc. etc; but obedience is not always a virtue.

Newton's law is there to say everry action has reaction and......So is Love begets love i.e. if the senior executives deal with their juniors with tenderness of heart and kindness of words, they would be receiving respect in abundance from their juniors.

 

[ashe]

unko chaploose chahiye , hum nahi kar sakte ,
corporate sector me kabhi kabhi work attitude sabit karne ke liye apni dignity ko bhi daav par lagana padta hai , jo jat aasani se nahi karta

I agree.....