Taking on Infosys over glitches in the GST and Income Tax portals developed by it, RSS-associated weekly Panchjanya launched a scathing attack on the domestic software company and wondered that whether any "anti-national power is trying to hurt India's economic interests through it".
In its latest edition, Panchjanya is carrying a four-page cover story on Infosys 'Saakh Aur Aghaat' (Reputation and Damage) and with its founder Narayana Murthy's picture on cover page.
The article has attacked the Bengaluru-based company and dubbed it as 'Unchi Dukan, Phika Pakwaan' (great cry and little wool).
Terming the article as "anti-national", Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a tweet said it is an attempt to shift the blame from the government and deserves to be wholeheartedly condemned.
"The scurrilous attack on Infosys in a RSS publication is outrageous and actually anti-national. Companies like Infosys have transformed India and its standing in the world," Ramesh said.
Noting that there has been regular incidents of glitches in these portals developed by Infosys, resulting in trouble for tax payers and investors, the article said that such incidents "brought down the trust of tax payers in the Indian economy".
The article said that government organisations and agencies never hesitate in awarding contracts for crucial websites and portals to Infosys as it is one of the most reputed software companies of India.
"Due to glitches in both GST and Income Tax return portals developed by Infosys, the tax payers trust in the country's economy has taken a hit. Is it that any anti-national force via Infosys is trying to hurt India's economic interests," the article wondered.
Though the article mentioned that the magazine does not have any solid evidence to say this, it added that Infosys has been accused many times of helping "Naxalites, leftists and tukde-tukde gangs".
It also asked whether Infosys will "provide this same kind of shoddy service for its foreign clients".
When contacted, Panchjanya editor Hitesh Shankar said Infosys is a big firm and very crucial works were given to it by the government on the basis of its credibility.
"The glitches in these tax portals are of national concern and those who are responsible for them should be held accountable," Shankar said.
The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday distanced itself from an article critical of Indian software major Infosys that was published in Panchjanya, a magazine associated with the saffron organisation.
Sunil Ambekar, the RSS' all-India prachaar pramukh, said Panchjanya is not a mouthpiece of the RSS and the article reflects the author's opinion and should not be linked with the organisation.
In its September 5 edition, Panchjanya has a four-page cover story on Infosys 'Saakh Aur Aghaat' (Reputation and Damage), with its founder Narayana Murthy's picture on the cover page.
However, Ambekar took to Twitter to clarify Sangh's stand.
“As an Indian company, Infosys has made seminal contribution in the progress of the country. There might be certain issues with a portal run by Infosys, but the article published by Panchjanya in this context only reflects the individual opinion of the author.
“Panchjanya is not a mouthpiece of the RSS and the said article or opinions expressed in it should not be linked with the RSS,” he tweeted.
The article drew flak from the Opposition parties which lashed out at the magazine calling the piece "anti-national".
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Sunday questioned the "silence" of India Inc on the issue months after commerce minister Piyush Goyal's criticism of Tata Sons.
"Then they came for me. And there was no one left to speak out for me” "RSS affiliated Panchajanya, says Infosys is working with anti-national forces and is part of tukde tukde gang. First the attack on Tatas by Commerce Minister and now this. Silence by industry biggies. Okay," she said in a tweet.
The Congress also dubbed them as "attacks" on India's "prized" corporate sector.
"After @PiyushGoyal alleged that India Inc works against national interest & singled out Tata Sons, now an RSS linked journal says Infosys is with 'anti-national' forces & an ally of tukde tukde gang. The Sangh's coordinated attack on India's prized corporates is shameful?" said Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed on Twitter.
Though the Panchjanya article mentioned that the magazine does not have any solid evidence to say this, it added that Infosys has been accused many times of helping "Naxalites, leftists and tukde-tukde gangs".
It also asked whether Infosys will "provide this same kind of shoddy service for its foreign clients".
When contacted on Saturday, Panchjanya editor Hitesh Shankar said Infosys is a big firm and very crucial works were given to it by the government on the basis of its credibility.
"The glitches in these tax portals are of national concern and those who are responsible for them should be held accountable," Shankar said.