New Delhi, Apr 15 (PTI) The Bajrang Dal on Wednesday called for a nationwide protest on April 16 and 17 to denounce alleged instances of sexual harassment and forced conversion at TCS Nashik.

Eight female employees at the company's Nashik office have levelled allegations of sexual harassment and coercion for religious conversion against their senior colleagues.

Last week, the Maharashtra Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations.

Responding to the issue, TCS on Sunday said it has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or coercion, and confirmed that employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at its Nashik office had been suspended.

In its statement, the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), alleged waging of "love jihad", encroachments on forest, public, defence and railway land, and harassment in Muslim-dominated areas.

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the outfit's workers will demonstrate across the country and mobilise members of the Hindu community.

Earlier in the day, the VHP expressed concern over the alleged incidents of religious conversion and "love jihad" in the country, and called for the enactment of a stringent nationwide law to curb illegal conversions.

The RSS-affiliate claimed that such activities have extended to multinational corporations and constitute a serious threat to national security. It urged all political parties to rise above partisan considerations and address the issue.

"The conspiracy exposed in Nashik is not an isolated incident but part of a wider network that appears to be operating across sectors. I appeal to the central government and state governments to overcome any hesitation and act decisively, keeping in mind national security, the safety of citizens, and social harmony.

"There is a need for stringent anti-conversion laws across all states as well as at the national level," VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said in a statement. PTI ADI VN VN

Anti-conversion concerns and harassment allegations spur calls for nationwide protests and stricter laws. Calls were made for nationwide protests over allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at a company office in Nashik. The allegations involved eight female employees, while a Special Investigation Team was said to have been constituted to examine the complaints. The company stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment or coercion and that employees allegedly involved had been suspended. Broader demands were also raised for stringent anti-conversion laws at state and national levels.