Indian government investigating TCS after police sting finds sexual harassment
Services giant’s staff accused of assaults, inappropriate religious practices
Police in the Indian city of Nashik conducted a sting operation at Tata Consultancy Services and allegedly found instances of sexual harassment and other revolting behavior.
Nashik police last week published a notice [PDF in Marathi] about its investigation, which involved a special investigation team that, according to Indian media reports, sent six women undercover at TCS for over a month.
According to the police report, the team observed sexual harassment and attempts at forcible religious conversions.
India’s National Commission for Women has established a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter.
“Reports indicate that an initial inquiry, triggered by a complaint relating to religious practices, has brought to light disturbing allegations involving sexual harassment, rape, and attempts at forced religious conversion of female employees by certain individuals in supervisory roles,” according to a Wednesday post from the Commission.
The committee will visit TCS Nashik on Saturday and will examine the allegations, interact with victims, police officials, and company representatives. The Commission hopes the visit will allow it to “identify lapses, if any, and recommend appropriate action against those found responsible.”
India has in recent years experienced shocking instances of sexual violence against women, most notably the rape and murder of a junior doctor who was napping during a long shift. That case achieved enormous prominence as Indian citizens felt that the crime taking place in a hospital illustrated the extent of sexual violence in the country.
Religious violence is also common in India.
India is very proud of its technology services industry. Senior politicians often cite its success as evidence of the nation’s status in the global technology industry.
The nation must now reckon with its tech services sector being another example of an industry in which women are not safe and religious discrimination is practiced, even as the nation continues to promote female participation in the workplace.
A TCS spokesperson sent The Register the following statement:
"TCS has a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form. We have always ensured the highest standards of safety and wellbeing of our employees at the workplace. As soon as we were made aware of the matter in Nashik, we took swift action. The employees being investigated, have been suspended pending enquiry. We are cooperating with the local law enforcement authorities, and any further action will be based on the conclusion of this investigation." ®