Tech Mahindra Sacks Diversity Officer For Homophobic, Racist Slurs

Information technology major Tech Mahindra Ltd has sacked its chief diversity and inclusivity officer, who is accused of making homophobic and racial slurs against a former employee, a week after it said it would conduct an internal investigation on the matter.

The incident was brought to light by a former company employee, Gaurav Pramanik, who on 9 September tweeted that his former head of the department, Richa Gautam, had mocked him, calling him effeminate leading to bullying by other co-workers and affecting his work.

He also highlighted Gautam’s hatred towards Muslims, calling her behaviour “bigoted and homophobic”.

Soon after the tweet, Tech Mahindra and Group Chairman Anand Mahindra acknowledged the matter, promising a thorough investigation.

Tech Mahindra tweeted last night that Gautam was sacked with immediate effect, “arising out of an investigation carried out in the matter… At Tech Mahindra, we believe in diversity and inclusion, and condemn discrimination of any kind in the workplace.”

Reacting to Gautam’s sacking, Pramanik tweeted, “I stand vindicated. Thank you to all those who’ve been steadfastly supporting me.”