A photo of a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) staff member sleeping outside the company’s Pune campus has stirred intense social media discussion. Identified as Saurabh More, the employee has been staging a protest since July 29, claiming his salary has been unjustly withheld.
The viral image shows More lying on a sidewalk, using his bag as a pillow, alongside a handwritten note. According to Financial Express, he says he was left with no option but to live outside the Sahyadri Park premises after multiple salary-related appeals were ignored.
His letter states he rejoined TCS on July 29, but access to internal systems like Ultimatix remains inactive and his salary, promised in a July 30 meeting, hasn’t arrived. “I told HR I’m out of money and will have to live on the streets,” the note reads. “They didn’t reply. So I’ve been staying outside the TCS office since July 29.”
The Forum for IT Employees (FITE) has backed More’s protest, calling his act “brave” and urging tech professionals to also report such cases to labour authorities. “A visible protest is powerful, but legal action reinforces accountability,” said FITE.
TCS responded by stating More’s wages were paused due to prolonged unauthorised leave. “He was absent, and per policy, salary was put on hold,” said the company, adding that he has resumed work and is now being supported with temporary housing.
Online users have strongly criticised TCS, calling the situation “shameful” and questioning the company’s ethical direction.