Call for a fair and impartial investigation, respect for due process, and restraint in public and media narratives
MUMBAI — The controversy surrounding Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik does not withstand basic scrutiny, the fact-finding team of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has said.
At a press conference here on Thursday, the APCR said its report was based on a field visit carried out on April 4. The team met families, lawyers, and residents, examined FIRs, and observed court proceedings to understand what had actually happened on the ground.
Shakir Shaikh, General Secretary of APCR’s Maharashtra unit, moderated the discussion. He said that the Nashik issue began in February when an FIR was filed alleging that Muslim women employees at TCS were practicing their religion, including observing Ramadan fast, at the workplace.
The APCR said its report was based on a field visit carried out on April 4.
Dolphy D’Souza of the Bombay Catholic Sabha said the situation must be seen in a broader context. He argued that such narratives are not accidental, and pointed to the growing use of terms like “corporate love jihad.” He referred to similar recent controversies and said these are being used to create fear and push companies towards excluding minority employees.
Sandhya Gokhale, PUCL Secretary, raised concerns about what she described as an expanding economic boycott. She said what happened earlier in the informal sectors is now reaching corporate spaces. She added that women are being hit the hardest, and questioned whether the police would be able to investigate the matter without bias. She also flagged concerns around proposed anti-conversion laws.
Nadeem Khan, National Secretary of APCR, rejected the claim of a “conversion racket” in the case. He said the allegations do not withstand basic scrutiny, especially the claim that someone could be forced to observe religious practices such as fasting. He also pointed out that the FIRs were not filed by victims or their families, but by a third party. He called for an independent investigation under a retired judge, saying the families do not have confidence in the local police.
Teesta Setalvad, Secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace, questioned why the issue of sexual harassment was being discussed in religious terms. She said harassment is about power, not religion, and stressed that institutions must follow proper procedures. She expressed concern over how Nida Khan has been portrayed and asked who will account for the damage caused to her reputation. She also said that sections of the media are contributing to a climate of polarisation.
Media people at the press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday,
Niranjan Takle, noted activist, pointed to contradictions in the public narrative. He said Nida Khan was initially described as a “mastermind” and HR head, but the company later clarified she was a telecaller with no such authority. He noted that TCS has a clear system for reporting complaints through internal channels, yet no formal complaints were filed. He called for a thorough investigation and demanded narco-analysis tests of all concerned to uncover the truth.
The APCR report states that although multiple FIRs allege workplace misconduct, there is no clear evidence at this stage of any organised religious conversion activity. It also notes a gap between what is on record and what is being circulated publicly.
APCR has called for a fair and impartial investigation, respect for due process, and restraint in public and media narratives.
