HYDERABAD — A software engineer’s one-woman protest outside Tech Mahindra’s Dundigal campus has struck a nerve across the city’s IT corridor, after she alleged she was sacked simply for taking three days off to nurse her sick daughter.Bhavana, a former employee at the company, staged a dharna outside the campus gates and has since filed a police complaint, accusing Tech Mahindra of terminating her without valid cause.
A Pattern, She Says, Not a One-Off
According to Bhavana, this wasn’t the first time she felt targeted. She claims that during an earlier 14-day medical leave for her own treatment, she was repeatedly emailed by management demanding her return — with an implicit warning that her job was on the line if she didn’t comply.
She also alleges the company failed to show basic concern after she slipped and fell on office premises while unwell, and describes a workplace culture where even routine needs — like using the washroom — required prior permission.
A Call for Change
Rather than framing her protest purely as a personal grievance, Bhavana has used it to make a broader appeal: that IT companies rethink how they treat employees — particularly women juggling caregiving responsibilities alongside demanding corporate jobs.Her case has landed at a moment when conversations about burnout, rigid attendance policies, and work-life balance in India’s tech sector are already running hot.
Tech Mahindra Has Not Responded
As of this report, Tech Mahindra has not issued any official statement addressing Bhavana’s allegations. This article reflects claims made by the complainant; the company’s side of the story remains to be heard.
