By Vipin Agnihotri
If you thought that the ‘casting couch’ syndrome was only limited to Bollywood in India, you are in for a real shock. It has come into the notice of The India Street that high profile corporate men and government officials of India are also looking out for opportunities to satiate their carnal desires within the office premises.
In my opinion, official power is the tool that they often use with impunity to subvert the modesty of their female colleagues. Take the case of Parul (name changed) a bright intellectual girl- entered the big bad corporate world at an age of 21 with a promise to prove her talent as a true blue professional. But she was not aware that the professional space dominated by men would demand her dignity and not the intellect to achieve her dreams.
In the case of Parul, his sexually frustrated boss expected her to perform for him more in the bedroom than in the boardroom. You may not believe at first but it’s true that majority of cases of sexual harassment in India go unreported.
Recently, an ex KPMG director filed a complaint against Vikram Uttam Singh, head of Financial Advisory Services & Senior Partner of KPMG India, for sexual abuse at workplace. Uttam Singh allegedly often made obscene gestures towards the woman director.
This particular case clearly signifies that male mindset of control & power over men’s body is still there. As a matter of fact, men still consider women as an object of entertainment. If experts are to be believed, the Indian government needs to implement laws with vigour.
Five years ago, another high profile case that ironically increased public awareness was the one involving the former Executive Assistant Rekha Maximovitch and the Infosys’ Director & Head of sales and marketing Phaneesh Murthy.
Business houses should have a grievance cell dealing with the issue of sexual harassment. What’s more, working women have to be made aware of their rights. Last but not the least, it is of paramount importance that companies in India incorporate well-defined policies against sexual indiscretion within the office space.
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