Mumbai | June 17, 2025 — A fresh controversy has erupted at a Croma electronics store in Bhandup West, Mumbai, after a video surfaced showing an employee, Jitesh Sharma, being told by a senior colleague, reportedly named Rashid, to remove his tilak or leave the premises. The incident occurred on Eid, which has fueled further debate over religious freedom and secularism in private workplaces.
Social media erupted in anger, with netizens criticizing what they called selective secularism and religious bias. Hashtags like #BoycottCroma and #ReligiousFreedom trended throughout the weekend. While Sharma has yet to file a formal police complaint, the outrage has reignited conversations around workplace discrimination—particularly under major corporate brands like Tata Group, which owns Croma through Infiniti Retail.
Not the First Time: Past Incidents Under Tata Group
This incident is not an isolated one. Over the years, other Tata-linked entities have been associated with similar controversies:
1. Air India SATS | October 2024
A Hindu employee, Chanchal Tyagi, alleged that her Muslim supervisor, PCM Akhtar, pressured her to remove her tilak while at work, despite allowing Muslim employees to perform namaz. She claimed bias and lodged complaints, but no action was taken by higher management.
2. Tanishq Advertisement Controversy | October 2020
Tanishq, a Tata Group jewelry brand, withdrew an ad that depicted a Hindu-Muslim interfaith family celebrating a baby shower. The ad faced massive backlash online with accusations of promoting “Love Jihad”. Tata faced criticism not only for releasing the ad, but later for succumbing to pressure and taking it down—seen by many as a failure to uphold pluralism.
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3. TCS Redundancy Allegations | UK, April 2025
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was embroiled in a UK employment tribunal case, where it was accused of favoring Indian employees over non-Indians and older professionals in redundancy decisions. While not religiously driven, the case highlighted deeper concerns about discriminatory patterns within Tata’s HR policies.
Bigger Picture: Religion at Work
While Tata Group is globally respected for its ethical image and philanthropic work, these incidents point to gaps in implementation of its stated values of equality and secularism.
A 2023 report by Parcham Collective and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) revealed that religious minorities, particularly Muslims, often face covert discrimination in hiring and promotions, or are pressured to conform to “neutral” workspaces where religious expression is discouraged. Hindu employees, too, have reported facing bias for religious symbols like tilak or rudraksha.
Public Reactions & Corporate Silence
So far, Croma’s management has not issued any public clarification. Tata Group has also maintained silence despite the growing public scrutiny.
Users on social media have expressed concern that Hindu religious expression is being unfairly policed, while other religious practices go unquestioned. Critics argue that true secularism should not mean erasing faith from public life, but treating all faiths equally.
What Should Happen Next?
1. Transparent Internal Inquiry at Croma, with a clear statement on their stand regarding religious freedom at the workplace.
2. Clear Guidelines across Tata Group companies on acceptable religious symbols, applicable to all faiths equally.
3. Strengthened Grievance Redressal mechanisms that protect employees from retaliation or bias.
4. Periodic Audits by independent bodies to assess and correct cultural or religious bias in HR practices.
Final Word
The incident at Croma is more than a one-off—it’s part of a troubling pattern. It puts a spotlight on the silent struggles employees face when corporate neutrality morphs into religious suppression. Tata Group, admired for its legacy of nation-building, must now lead by example—not only in policy but in practice.
The people of India deserve workplaces where secularism doesn’t mean silence, but respect for all.
By: The News Drill Editorial Team
📧 Got a tip or workplace story? Write to us at editor@thenewsdrill.com
