Religious posturing mate, it is demented. Your co-workers are not the target audience for such antics, it only works with the illiterate masses. Having said that, Shastra pooja is a thing in a lot of Rajput families, with many continuing the tradition only in the name of holding onto culture.
Have the Pakistani rajputs given up on this? Now before some Pakistani denies ever doing this, I wanted to point out that some 'common' traditions still exist in Pakistan. I was surprised to see Pakistani Kabbadi players touching the Kabbadi ground each time they'd step in. They might not do it for the same reasons as Indian players do it (paying respect to mother earth) but it seems like a custom that they have not forgotten.