So Tejpal sexually assaulted his lady colleague in an elevator. Criminal charges have been pressed against Tejpal and it seems sooner or later the woman journalist who may not get another job any time soon will at least get justice.

About time we discuss another Tejpal- this one’s name is TEZpal. And I tell you he is the original one!!! After all TEZpal had molested a colleague in an elevator in 2007. TEZpal after having repeatedly asked the woman journalist very personal details about her boyfriend had decided to continue to be a slime ball. One night while TEZpal was the shift in charge of the night shift he molested a lady colleague in the office lift.

The woman journalist had reported the incident to her bosses. An internal investigation was done. Many other women journalists were called to confirm TEZpal’s general behavior with women. A group of women journalists asserted that TEZpal was indeed sexist and out of line much too often. Some old HR exit interviews were also brought out. TEZpal was asked to leave.

But, all this was done quietly. This was after all also an “Internal Matter” you see. No criminal charges were pressed against TEZpal. The woman journalist wasn’t informed about VISHAKHA GUIDELINES and how effectively it can be used by workplace. The two good things that came out of all this was that a)the woman journalist continued to work in the news room and b)The other women journalists whose version had supported the primary complain also continued to work. How amazing!!! How noble!!! They were not thrown out!!.

Lets not talk about whether this was enough! and fair? What kind of questions are these? Lets be Pragmatic!

So all news channels and most newspapers knew what had happened but nothing was reported. As TEZpal’s organization was always ‘balanced’, had never really hurt any political party , kept everyone in good humor with their Cones and Caves the state also didn’t take note of the incident.

Then a few years later while eating Poorie- Alu the Big Boss decided he wanted TEZpal back! The HR which generally complies to all that BIG BOSS wants decided to put up some resistance against hiring of TEZpal. The CEO also said its not a good idea. The News Director also didn’t want TEZ the MAZE back. But Big Boss is Big Boss. He waited. As time moves a time came when out went the CEO. The resisting HR head was also on her way out. TEZpal came in. News Director was also now on his way out.

There were only two people now. TEZpal and BIG BOSS. Best of friends.

Then one day away from the main office TEZpal went to the land of Arabian Sea. There he met another woman journalist. He had never messed with this one before. She was an Editor and all in the organization. She had also worked with the organization for a long period. Even though she had not been promoted for over five years of her stint with Tezland she was still to be avoided. But now she was leaving. And she wasn’t apparently joining anywhere. Did she look vulnerable? May be she did! Out came barrage of questions.

Why was she leaving her work for a man? Would she marry that man? Why doesn’t she get married? What is the MAZAAA in a long distance relationship?

Oh!! he got to know she had found another man because of her FB status and ah!! it was told to him by the boy gang of office. So was it long distance because she was involved with many men? Did she have one man in every city of the country? hahahah! laughter! laughter! just a joke! Bherry Puny!!

The woman we hear was furious. She told BIG BOSS what the fuck! But TEZpal said it was all in MAZAAK! as colleagues one can always do a little mazaak! Gross mistake had happened he realized when she rubbed it in that he was uncouth!

And you thought TEJPAL was the first one to find “Friendly banter” being ‘misjudged’ and ‘misplaced’!You you you!

Now you are making so much noise over Shoma Choudhury! What about Ms BAHUTdarrr? This one is very compliant. Too much Darrr of losing her job. Ms Bahutdarrr is the present HR head dealing with the woman journo’s case against TEZpal. She made a very significant point while sweeping the complain away. She ruminated and meditated and solved a few equations and found it gravely ethically inappropriate that the Editor had CUT A CAKE and attended another official meeting after being sexually harassed at work place. How could the woman journalist go around cutting cakes if she was so sad!!??

Now you tell me friends why did this journo do that? Shouldn’t the Woman Editor have run out of the room saying “bachao bachao” and cried and whined..and screamed. So what if she had been associated with the channel for about ten years !! Aren’t women supposed to run? dis-engage? Cry? She cut a cake!!! Boo!

So now this TEZpal is doing many meaningful shows on TEJPAL. He works in a very big channel. TEZpal will never go behind the bar. Neither the BIG BOSS nor Ms Bahutdarr will ever be questioned. No fellow colleague from this Big channel will resign and feel disturbed or feel the prick of his/her conscience. The women who had seen TEZpal’s re-entry know there is no point in protesting anymore. After all Big Boss had brought him back with a promotion!

So while we abuse and criticize TEJPAL remember TEZpal is going…strong…fast…very very fast…

(First Published in Kafila)
http://kafila.org/2013/11/29/the-tejpal-who-is-far-more-tez-kishore/