In the wake of a huge public uproar following horrifying allegations of sexual abuse by seniors and consequent pressure to convert to Islam levelled by eight women employees at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Nashik office, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday demanded that the Centre should make the anti-conversion law applicable across India, rather than leaving the issue to state governments.
“There are states that will not make an anti-conversion law. This incident is not an isolated one. We have drawn up a list of 11 major multinational companies where such a racket is being run with total impunity. This incident happened in Maharashtra, where a law has been made but not implemented. Goes on to show that a strict law is the only answer to this ‘corporate jihad’ and we have conveyed to the Central government that we are going to push for the same come what may,” Surendra Jain, joint general secretary of VHP, told The Statesman.
“This is not just about netting unsuspecting Hindus to convert to Islam. This has national security implications and, as such, must be taken up by the Central government. This matter cannot be left in the hands of state governments that have their own political calculations.”
“While there are two thoughts on this issue—that it is a state subject or falls under the concurrent list. We are of the opinion that supports the latter and, therefore, it is incumbent on the Centre to make a stringent anti-conversion law.”
Jain also told The Statesman that it was planning major agitation to take this issue to the national centrestage. “Come what may, VHP is readying to tackle this issue from the roads to the courts. We are planning our response to this matter.”
Moreover, VHP is also reading its own organisation to tackle allegations of this nature involving pressure to convert to another religion, under duress or enticement.
“We believe that the time has come that we should become proactive on the matter of forced religious conversion rackets run inside corporate India. Owing to the structure of MNCs, such incidents either don’t come to light or see the light of day very late,” Jain added.
Meanwhile, Police sources say the focus is now on whether vulnerable employees were deliberately identified and targeted.
Investigators are looking into claims that some staff members, including those linked to training functions and an HR role, had access to detailed information on new recruits. This, they suspect, may have been used to pick out individuals dealing with financial strain or personal difficulties.
The case has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra and drawn scrutiny from multiple agencies, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) now also examining possible collusion among the accused based on call records, emails and chat exchanges.
Investigators are also looking into allegations that this was accompanied by derogatory remarks about religion, a show of empathy by an HR functionary, and a gradual attempt to influence or pressure victims over time. Officials are probing whether these point to a wider, organised pattern within the workplace.
The SIT has now indicated that complaints raised by victims were allegedly ignored at multiple levels. According to investigators, HR Manager Nida Khan, identified as the alleged “mastermind”, tried to suppress complaints and shield the accused. Police said she repeatedly asked victims to drop the matter despite being a member of the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Committee, and failed to escalate the complaints to senior management.
Officials said around 78 “suspicious” call records, emails and chats have been recovered during the probe, along with indications of possible financial transactions between the accused.