How Could This Happen In Infosys? Aren't You Ashamed Mr Murthy?

BANGALORE: The Pune based Infosys campus faced chill wind from all over due to the alleged rape of a woman cashier by a housekeeping staff member on December 27, 2015. The case becomes more interesting due to the heavy time-lag between the incident occurrence and its reporting. “The company authorities remained silent for more than 24 hours until the victim approached them,” says Chandrakant Suryawanshi, Assistant Police Inspector, reports the Hindu. “While the accused are part of the housekeeping staff, the company has proved unwilling to accept responsibility despite questioning. They said the accused are contractual staff hired from an external agency,” he adds.

Sources suggest, the victim, aged 25 claimed was followed by two male housekeeping to the wash room where one of them raped her and the other filmed the entire act.

Going back in the windows of time, one would find a forgotten frame of memory of N.R. Narayana Murthy, the Co-founder of Infosys, expressing his deep discontentment towards lack of women’s safety in India. Stating his strong opposition over Delhi gang-rape, Murthy had said, “I am ashamed to be an Indian,” reports NDTV. Sudha Murthy, his spouse also had spoken at length on the bringing fundamental change in the people’s attitude towards women. “Even when you abuse someone, it has a female reference - 'Son of ...', 'Sister of ...'. I feel women are referred to in abuses because we don't respect them. I feel the punishment should be harsh so that people get scared,” she said, reports the Economic Times.

Besides brandishing strong statements, in 2002, Infosys had swiftly dismissed one of their youngest directors and head of global sales, Phaneesh Murthy after he was charged with sexual harassment lawsuit by one of its   employees.

After showcasing such strong social presence and ability to stand for righteousness, the main question that once again lingers today is how could Infosys act so lackadaisical and impassive in reporting the rape to the Pune police? Was it not insensitive on the part of company to let the victim herself lodge a complaint? The incident furthermore throws a long puzzling question mark on the IT enterprises’ stance towards a delicate matter like rape, and its security measures. Mr Murthy, people are looking for answers!