Zee News anchor Zeenat Siddiqui alleges harrasment, unlawful termination from management
Noida: In a shocking revelation on X platform, a Zee Media employee Zeenat Siddiqui, who was working as an anchor has come forward with allegations of unlawful termination and harassment. She has also written in detail about the disturbing events leading up to her dismissal.
Siddiqui, narrated the sequence of events that happened on the day of her termination. According to her X post, she arrived at the office on a usual Saturday, a day when a significant portion of the staff, including HR personnel, was absent. Upon her arrival, she described experiencing a sense of confinement, with her belongings inspected and her attempts to contact her mother restricted.
She further alleged that she was subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation, culminating in an attempt to coerce her into signing a resignation letter. Refusing to comply, she attempted to leave, only to be forcibly restrained and ultimately terminated from her position. Throughout the ordeal, she claims to have endured emotional distress and physical discomfort, exacerbated by the beginning of her menstrual cycle.
Despite her efforts to seek assistance from HR, she asserts that her pleas were ignored, and she was left to tackle the problems alone. Subsequently, she lodged a formal complaint with the police, detailing the events of the incident. However, as of the time of her post on X, no formal FIR has been filed, prompting concerns over the handling of the case.
Siddiqui's account has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with demands for a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct. The incident has reignited discussions surrounding workplace harassment and the efficacy of existing legal frameworks in addressing such grievances.
Siddiqui remains apprehensive about the outcome of her legal battle, citing concerns over potential external influences. In her post she has also requested for sustained support from the public.
ये मेरा UNLAWFUL TERMINATION ORDER जिसे मैं बिना किसी शर्म के आप लोगों के सामने रख रही हूं, अब ये जानिए ये मुझे दिया कैसे गया
— ZEENAT SIDDIQUI (@ZSiddiki) February 8, 2024
मैं रोज़ की तरह ऑफिस गई, दिन शनिवार , जिस दिन 70 प्रतिशत STAFF/HR DEPARTMENT OFFICE नहीं आता ।
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T'gana RTC strike: Talks between govt, employees successful
Hyderabad (PTI): Talks between employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) who were on strike and the state government concluded successfully on Friday as the government agreed to the key demands of the workmen.
Following a day-long marathon of talks between the leaders of the employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the cabinet sub-committee, the government announced after midnight that it acceded to the demands, including a merger of RTC with the government, 11 per cent pay revision and elections to the employees' unions.
A committee comprising officials and employee leaders would be appointed over the merger of RTC with the government, it said.
The RTC management has also agreed to address the remaining issues as well, an official release said.
The employees would call off their strike and the RTC buses would hit the roads shortly, it said.
The employees had been on an indefinite strike since April 22 over a series of demands, including the merger of RTC with the government.
Earlier in the day, a driver of the RTC, who attempted suicide on April 23 during the strike, died at a hospital here in the early hours of Friday.
Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old driver, set himself ablaze by pouring petrol at Narsampet in Warangal district when the employees were staging a protest on Thursday in support of their demands.
Goud suffered serious burns, was initially admitted to a state-run hospital in Warangal, and later shifted to a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment.
"He succumbed (to injuries) at about 1.30 am on Friday," a senior official said.
The driver’s body was taken to his relative’s village, Muttojipet in Warangal district, for funeral rites.
Tension prevailed in Muttojipet as his family members and RTC employees attempted to take the body to the Narsampet bus station, where he worked, to enable his colleagues to pay their last respects. However, police did not permit this, citing law-and-order concerns.
This led to a deadlock before the funeral could proceed.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the Telangana government for not allowing the body to be taken to the Narsampet bus station.
Kumar, Minister of State (Home), visited Muttojipet village in Warangal district, where the funeral was held, and paid homage to Goud.
“They (family members) want to take the body to the bus depot for five minutes. Is the RTC bus depot in Pakistan or Bangladesh? They are emotionally attached to taking the body there. The government is hurting sentiments and creating fear among RTC employees,” Kumar told reporters.
He also expressed anger at the police for not allowing the body to be taken to the bus station and staged a protest, according to a release from his office.
RTC employees and BJP workers attempted to take the mortal remains in an ambulance to Narsampet, but were stopped by the police.
Later, after discussions with the police, the family members and RTC employees agreed to conduct the funeral in the village.
Sanjay Kumar, stating he would abide by the family’s decision, left the village after the funeral was conducted there.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh, a house, and a government job would be provided to the kin of Goud.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the employee’s death and conveyed deep condolences to the grieving family, according to the release.
The RTC employees’ JAC had earlier announced an agitation programme from April 24 to 29, including silent marches and submission of memorandums to MLAs and other leaders.
