Teri was wrong

The curious goings on at The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri), with one man playing ducks and drakes with all principles of natural justice involved in the handling of complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace, are unlikely to end just because Dr R.K. Pachauri has been asked to go on indefinite leave. What sort of message was the government-funded institute sending to civil society in creating a special post of vice-chairman with executive powers for the climate scientist accused of harassment of women employees The uproar led to the reluctant action of his taking leave from the organisation whereas he should have been summarily suspended pending the result of the investigation.

Throughout the institute has been acting only in his interest, making it appear as if one man, admittedly part of a Nobel Prize-winning organisation, was greater than the principles involved in a case under the strict provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013. Far from helping women employees, TERI acted like Dr Pachauri’s guardian, using a vague order by an industrial disputes tribunal to reinstate and promote him.

It appears from the surfacing of more complaints from women employees that we are dealing not with one incident of inappropriate behaviour but a pattern of errant behaviour. However eminent the person may be, it stands to reason that he should receive no support whatever unless and until he clears his name in all inquiries. Fair treatment of women at the workplace is too important for the rules to be bent for anyone.