Pune Man Sits On Hunger Strike As Company Fires Him Post Cancer Diagnosis: ‘We Pay Taxes But No Safeguard’

A company based in Pune, Maharashtra, has been receiving much backlash online for firing its employee, who was diagnosed with cancer. The incident happened at a multinational firm located in the Commerce Zone area of Yerawada. The employee, named Santosh Patole, has been working at the company for eight years as a Facility Manager and has over 20 years of experience.

He alleged that he was fired from his job while he was undergoing treatment. In April this year, Santosh was diagnosed with thyroid nodule isthmus cancer during the company’s annual health check-up. Upon receiving the report, he decided to take medical leave in May and June for surgery and further treatment. During this period, the company bore his medical expenses.

The Company Cited

Wrong Decision-Making As The Reason For Termination

On July 1, his doctors cleared him to return to work. He was preparing to resume work when, on July 23, he received a termination letter from the company. The sudden termination not only left Santosh jobless, but also cut off the medical support he depended upon for his costly cancer treatment. He claimed that the company accused him of making a decision that could have resulted in a loss of Rs 2.5 to 3 crore, as the reason for his termination.

Santosh said that all the allegations were baseless and false because the project in question had not even been implemented. He claimed that the company refused to listen to his explanation and dismissed him while he was still undergoing treatment.

The Employee Is Now On A Hunger Strike

A picture of Santosh has been widely circulating on social media. In it, he is seen sitting outside the company’s Pune office, inside a tent. He is staging a “peaceful hunger strike” against the company. The picture showed various banners, one of which read, “#WhySLBWhy? Cancer Patient Fired By US MNC Begins Hunger Strike. Employees Are Humans, Not Numbers.”

Internet Lashes Out At The Company For Firing The Employee

The incident has sparked outrage among people online, with many raising concerns about job security and corporate responsibility. “Everyone is just a number in someone else’s company,” one said.

“He should contact the IT labour cell in Pune. They are helping fired TCS employees. They will help him, too,” another quipped.

Someone shared a similar incident, writing, “Similar case with a friend from an Indian tech giant. Diagnosed with cancer, the company didn’t support. They didn’t pay him a salary because he was taking his cancer treatment and hence was put on unpaid leave, no financial or moral support, no insurance support. The guy had to fundraise. Luckily, he defeated the cancer and has resumed his work. This company’s founders lecture around morality, social work, and how grounded they are, and are also famous for their comments on how young Indians should work harder.”

A different individual added, “Holy s–t. This is evil. Really hope public outrage will help him legally and financially…”

“Hunger strikes are rather odd; you are preying on the humanity of those you believe lack it,” someone else noted.