I don't think it's true. From our group, 2 people got impacted and both are Indians and their managers also Indians. There is nothing against non-Indians.
As most of the companies in valley are required core hands on people not just talking at high level and managing. Cisco being old company, it's not upto the mark w.r.t hands on experienced people. Most of the full timers are just managing like Program Manager/Project Manager. For that matter even most of the analyst and engineer roles are manage their work by handing over to contractors and oversee what's happening. These kind of people of definitely not worthy enough to keep for Cisco as a company. Whether anyone agrees or not, it's true. Whoever, works in Cisco know that fact.
In our team, few people don't even know how to first of all talk in meetings (including Indian and non-Indian members), how to have heatlthy discussions, though in team since 9 yrs or so, still don't know the basics of system. Don't you guys think these kind of people should be sacked? Being in the system for so long and lack of knowledge, they are infact causing more damange to the company. Because of them work is getting slow and delayed. For every small thing, they need a meeting and hour and hours of discussions which does not lead any outcome.
As a company Cisco to grow in this competitive market, Cisco should be on par with other companies and sack these kind of people. However, I am really not sure how diligently an individual is choosed to layoff. I hope they are considering to sack only such kind of people who does not do work but only do timepass.
Even after this layoff, there will so much crap to be removed.
BTW, I am in Cisco last 10 yrs and saw many layoffs. Never ever saw someone got impacted who is really talented.