Man goes on hunger strike after company fires him while battling Cancer
Pune: A multinational company in Yerawada is facing strong criticism after dismissing an employee who was undergoing cancer treatment. The employee, Santosh Patole, worked as a Facility Manager for eight years and has more than two decades of professional experience.
Patole said he was removed from service while he was still in treatment. He was diagnosed with thyroid nodule isthmus cancer in April during the firm’s annual health check-up. After receiving the diagnosis, he took medical leave in May and June for surgery and further treatment. During this period, the company paid for his medical expenses.
Doctors cleared him to resume work on July 1. However, before he could return, he received a termination letter on July 23. Along with the loss of his job, he also lost the medical support that had been funding his cancer care. Patole claimed the company accused him of making a decision that could have caused a loss of ₹2.5 to ₹3 crore, though he said the project mentioned was never even implemented. He alleged that the company refused to hear his explanation and dismissed him without considering his medical condition.
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Following the termination, Patole began a hunger strike outside the company’s Pune office. A widely shared photograph shows him sitting inside a small tent with protest banners, including one reading: “#WhySLBWhy? Cancer Patient Fired By US MNC Begins Hunger Strike. Employees Are Humans, Not Numbers.”
The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with several users criticising the company’s handling of the situation and raising concerns about job security for employees dealing with serious health issues. One user wrote, “Everyone is just a number in someone else’s company,” while another suggested Patole approach the IT labour cell in Pune for support. Others shared similar experiences, pointing to broader concerns regarding corporate responsibility and support for employees facing life-threatening illnesses.
The protest and online backlash have brought renewed attention to the treatment of workers undergoing major medical crises and the policies companies follow in such situations.
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Eight women labourers killed as truck hits tempo on Nagpur-Mumbai expressway
Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.
"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.
The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.
The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.
The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.
He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.
The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.
Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.
