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In early 2026, another crime had the nation talking. A woman came forward with a complaint against her seniors in TCS [Tata Consultancy Services], Nashik. A series of events took place post that. 9 other women from the same office filed complaints with the police in the following months.
The police investigation started in Deolali. Initial probes enhanced scrutiny in the office environment. But the police were willing to take up the matter seriously and hence launched a discreet operation. They sent female officers undercover to gather information.
Multiple FIRs were filed following the misconduct faced by the staff. Religious coercion and sexual harassment were the main subjects. Female employees were the target. HR complaints were allegedly ignored. Objections to the seniors' advances or answering back while taking a stand for one's religion were met with increased workload and threats of termination.
When TCS became aware, it immediately suspended these employees. They also made an effort to launch an internal investigation. External audit and legal support were provided. The CEO said that the company did not receive any complaints to dive into the matter before it surfaced publicly.
The case went to the Supreme Court of India. An unnecessary public debate emerged where some people believed that the coercion should be acted upon, and some people wanted a fair trial before a conclusion.
Despite the level of matter, media publications partly hyped it. The current situation of the case is that several bail applications have been rejected, and TCS and the judiciary are actively looking into the matter.
How Does It Concern Me?
When anything goes wrong, anywhere in the world, our first reaction to it is - Does it affect me? If yes, we will look into the matter. If not, we ignore it easily. But many saints advise this - always keep an eye open to your surroundings. The examples of others are but in fact a mirror. You never know, the same could one day happen to you.
The probe into the TCS case, the Kerala Story movies and a ton of books on the subject of religious coercion might be a frowned-upon topic now, but knowledge is the only thing that will keep you safe if anything happens. ‘Love Jihad’ is a term coined by several communities for this matter - Islamic men trying to convert non-muslim women to Islam under the pretext of love and marriage.
People who do not find love at home find it outside. And that vulnerability is precisely what is targeted. So this matter concerns you if:
You have problems with a home that you are trying to run away from.
You have parents who do not understand you or support you.
You find yourself friendless.
You have a financial crisis.
You aren’t a strong believer in any faith.
How To Protect Yourself Or The Women In Your Life - The Ultimate Red Flags In A Man.
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As we have all seen in the movies - The Kerala Story 1 & 2, men could be from a different faith, lie to your face, be in a relationship for years and lie about their families, go completely different from being a gentleman to someone who hits you, berates you, and manipulates you - while you are completely unaware. Below are the red flags that you should spot in a man before you decide to trust them and take a step forward.
Excessive secrecy about identity:
Any man who has multiple social media identities, refuses to disclose personal information, and doesn’t maintain transparency could be a red flag. They could also be lying about these things. Only trust someone after you have done multiple background checks from trustworthy resources. They might seem modern and liberal, but the truth could be far from different behind closed doors.
Isolation from Family or Friends
The picture is much clearer for people looking from the outside. You might not have the intuition or sixth sense to judge someone, but a nemesis or a friend would easily spot the problem; family would definitely spot a problem. That’s when they hit the jackpot. They would start replacing the people around you. Be there for you as a parent, taking care of you, as a friend, listening to you, supporting you, filling in the voids you crave from people you were with for so long. But it is all an act. Trust your loved ones when they warn you; look into the matter. Don’t be blinded by love. Discouraging opinions from them would close their doors for you. Treating it and finding a solution will keep you safe, and if you are with the right person, they will definitely support your decision.
Sudden Pressure to Change Lifestyle or Religion:
Once you start trusting a friend or a partner, they use your comfort to feed you information or truths and impose beliefs on your mentality, little by little. Be aware of this manipulation. This emotional blackmail would come in the picture once you are in a deep pit, when changing your system would be a better option than leaving the person or the life that you choose with them. Small things like changing your dressing style or food habits that would look small could be a major issue. In the pretext of proving your love, you might lose your identity.
Love Bombing:
Immediate falling in love, the Bollywood-style story, that doesn’t add up. Learn to differentiate between eagerness and desperation. If you love a man who is eager to marry you, he will do it rightly. If he is desperate, he will turn every hurdle into a problem solved by running away from it. Your parents don’t agree- let’s run away. You don’t have enough money to survive - we will stay in cheap hotels, or you will steal from your father. Are you not ready? - Maybe you don’t love me enough. There is always a worst option for a bad situation. The right man will wait, build, convince and treat you like you deserve. Don’t deprive yourself of that.
Controlling Your Career and Finances:
The man should never be in control of your finances. Take help from the internet. Losing control of your finances is one of the biggest mistakes a victim makes. Giving full control of your life to someone else’s hands. You give them the authority to put you on a road in rags. Learn how to keep your finances and your career choices in your hands. Do not let someone else control the direction and pace of your life. Do not put yourself in any position where you wouldn’t be able to live a life in their absence.
Digital Tracking and Password Sharing:
Emotional control in the pretext of being caring is a big no. They constantly track where you go, who you are with, what you say, and what you share. That is not necessary; trust is what is necessary. This type of emotional control slowly becomes a trap and gives them an upper hand to use during fights for manipulation. Sharing passwords could also give them access to post/do things that do not abide by your comfort. They can be easily misused. Keep digital access off unless you are completely sure of the person you are with.
Threats of Using Intimate Photos or Chats:
Go to the police. Run there. But in such circumstances, no matter how bad it gets, do not allow yourself to be threatened/give in to their demands on the threat of these petty claims. It is like getting on a boat with a hole to save yourself from the storm. Be a person of character, refrain from sharing explicit information or photos that you think can be misused. Be aware of secret camera checks when going to hotel rooms or PGs.
The problem is not associated with a specific religious group or person. It is entirely based on showing your vulnerabilities to someone you think is trustworthy and then being taken advantage of. Be cautious enough to learn how to judge someone, and if you can’t do that with confidence, have someone else decide for you, preferably someone in your family who knows better. It is better to learn, observe, and then choose, rather than blindly letting life go with the flow and then being shocked rather than surprised.
A Better Life
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In a workplace, be aware of the HR, the policies and the work culture. Do not bind yourself in contracts without probation periods. Refrain from sharing personal information and struggles with colleagues. Treat work with professional boundaries. This will save you from a lot of trouble.
There are always two sides to a coin, but precaution is always better than cure. We live in a world where kindness doesn’t come easy, and money is the solution to every problem. So choose your battles wisely. And choose the people who stand by you in those battles, even more wisely.
With applications like LinkedIn, Naukri and Insternshala, finding a stable job and a career is much easier compared to before. Work hard, sharpen your skills, educate yourself and be independent. Your greatest friend and supporter is you. Remember that trust should always be given to someone who earns it, not someone who demands it.
