- During a CA International Conference in Kolkata, the Chief Guest a Swami from BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir demanded – that all women vacate the first 5 rows, or he would walk out! Yes, you read that right.
- Even more jaw-dropping? ICAI Committee member shamefully complied with this absurd and discriminatory request.
- Here’s how this ridiculous scene unfolded.
Stats you should know
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established by the CA Act of 1949 to regulate the profession of Chartered Accountancy in India.
ICAI boasts approximately 4,00,000 members who are Chartered Accountants.
According to a 2024 Economic Times report, women Chartered Accountants now make up 30% of the membership, a significant increase from just 8% in 2000.
Among the 863,000 CA students, the female students make up 43%.
ICAI Kolkata Event
ICAI is divided into five regions in India: Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and Central.
Each region hosts events regularly.
In one such event, the International Conference of CA Students held in Kolkata they had over 3,600 participants. This was on 22-23 June 2024.
The Chief Guest was Swami Gyanvatsalya from BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir.
The other speakers included CA influencers like Kushal Lodha, Rachana Ranade, and Neha Dutta.
Despite proudly claiming that 1 in every 3 members at ICAI is female and over 42% of their students are women…This event was inaugurated by (of course all men)!
- Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President, ICAI
- CA Charanjot Singh Nanda, Vice-President of ICAI
- (Dr.) Debashis Mitra, Past President, ICAI, Advocate
- Vijay Kumar Jhalani, Government Nominee,
- (Dr.) Rajkumar S. Adukia, Chairman, BoS
- Sridhar Muppala, Vice Chairman, BoS in the presence of Management Committee Members of EIRC.
- Prof. Santa Dutta (De), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, was a distinguished guest at the conference
And this is what happened at the event…
….Banishing Women to the Back
Swami demanded that no women or girls should sit in the first five rows of the hall and threatened to leave if his request was not followed.
What happened next?
An ICAI Committee member grabbed the mic and declared, “No ladies, no girls, no girl volunteers in sight, folks! Hustle up, he’s on his way!”
Yes, you heard right – Female event organizers, volunteers, and attendees integral to the conference were told to leave the prominent seating areas and move to the back rows.
Hard to believe that a Swami advocating for “Viksit Bharat” would have such ridiculous views. And ICAI making that announcement? Even stranger and shameful!
The backlash begins, rightfully so!
The incident caused a lot of criticism towards Swami Gyanvatsalya and the ICAI.
People are upset that the prestigious Institute would invite a guest with demands that go against equality and respect.
While there are supporters too!
While the majority of the people on LinkedIn and other social media sites condemned this behaviour, a few of them also took sides with Swami.
ICAI’s silence is deafening
ICAI’s silence only highlights the absurdity of their compliance with such regressive demands.
This also reflects the mindset of the committee running ICAI.
Nevertheless, the criticism on social media and from those present at the event is increasing, indicating a strong desire for responsibility to support equal rights and opportunities for everyone.
Wrapping up…
Despite many accomplishments by ICAI committee members, the lack of equal opportunities for women to take up leadership roles remains a glaring issue.
This disparity is particularly concerning in a country like India where our Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is a woman and has served two terms.
The issue demands immediate attention and action.
Yet another step to make this great nation a “Big Shit Bharat”
Shame on ICAI
Similar thing had happened when I had visited a resort where some Swami ji were to visit and on request of that Swami ji, the resort owner insisted that no women in the resort should be coming out of the room until Swami ji were to roam in theresort.
With due respect to such Swami ji, my question to them is that – are their saint principles so weak that they need to drive out women from their vicinity. In my view, a better solution then is that such Swami ji should roam with blindfolded eyes, instead of driving away females from their sight.
The intention behind this message is not to disrespect any Swami ji but I will be glad if Swami ji reconsider their belief before making such discriminatory demands.
ICAI office bearers must have firmly rejected such requests.
My message to the female audience is that next time in similar situation, you should walk out of such event rather than accepting such disrespectful demands.
Agree completely. If the sight of a woman can shake the celibacy of a Swami, then he has not understood the principles of Dharma. ICAI should not get such guests. Ask him to stay home.
Well replied.
Shame on men CA’s. Ban and close down ICAI, Kolkata chapter.
Really? And become semi skilled literate? Go back to your average brain mindset before asking to shut down a chapter!
Shame on ICAI Kolkata chapter.
Though this scene is shameful one should blame the religious figure not to mention u blame the silence by ICAI well this is not the only time they have silent on major issues so one should not blame ICAI which also has women high ups so this propoganda post against icai will only work against Illiterate and briandead morons
Did he fall from the sky forgetting that a woman gave birth to him? Should be ashamed to say such words..A swami has to respect a woman.
Spirituality has nothing to do with gender. It’s all inclusive.
So sad. The committee member who announced this should have deliberated carefully to such an absurd request. All the ladies present- from 1st to last row should have walked out along with the lady volunteers. Swamiji may have preferences, but not in such a forum. Was it specified ahead- What deliberations ICAI had on such a weird request- There was no other eminent person to address the gathering? Let us wait and watch the wrath that is going to set on ICAI. ICAI, on its own should seek resignation from all those involved from their posts and tender an public apology.
What is the business of Swami in a professional institute. If ladies were a distraction for him he should have not come. Swami should have been asked to get lost immediately. We don’t need conmen in our institute.
Agree.
Agree
WHO WILL AUDIT THESE AUDITORS ?
Recent conference professional,
Participants local & international
Unprofessional announcement,
Needs unequivocal denouncement
Gender discrimination,
Institutional repercussion
Gender cannot decide sitting arrangement,
Be it for CA qualified or just aspiring student
Those entrusted with responsibility to audit others,
Must introspect & ensure no repetition of such glaring errors
Chartered accountancy is not a male bastion,
There is no permission for even a single act of gender discrimination
Do not dare to violate, dominate or display any so-called superiority,
This message should be made clear to one & all, without any apology or ambiguity
Equality in tone & tenor,
Without any fear or favour
This spirit must reflect in everyone’s demeanour,
And be evident at all levels in each & every endeavour
This is the basic expectation of each of the 8+ lakh aspiring students & 4 lakh qualified chartered accountants,
This message to be conveyed ‘to whomsover it may concern’ by the entire community dealing in any manner with the Institute of Chartered Accountants
And to ensure this message echoes & institutionalises this message’s clarity of intent & contents,
Till full course correction, only men to henceforth present bouquets to chief guests at all functions & events
June 28, 2024
If the swamiji has been given birth by a women mother he should have given respect to every women.
Being a member of this prestigeous institution, I feel ashamed of this incident
I am a senior chartered accountant. I was admitted as a member in 1972. I am shocked the institute succumbed to the presurre of the chief guest a religeous teacher. They ought to have refused. The institute must own up the mistake and offer apologies to lady members and students.
CA ULHAS KESHAV LIMAYE 014034
What happened happened but ICAI must ask forgiveness from the females who were there and next time make sure that they don’t call such person to talk 😶
I think finance story should not cover such stories. Showing anger over social media and mocking icai is not a solution. This story is not so big or sensational as much as it is portrayed. I understand that there is a feeling of disrespect but obeying someone’s request is still not a criminal act. ICAI or the CA profession in general is still a noble profession and we have a lot of work to do. Instances such as these should be part of some masala news and not finance story. Women hold high respect in the Indian Society so some practices can’t spoil anything. So just chill and keep on good work going.
Then Anonymous sir, ICAI shouldn’t be inviting such gurus for their professional congregation. Imagine you would feel if you are subjected to such humiliation. BTW why should a Hindu guru with such atrocious and discrimnatory repute is invited for the forum. There are enough motivational and professional speakers around in this country.
I find it nauseating and repulsive to such behaviours.
Regressive mind can not carry out any progress. Its a shameful act. Please do not give false cultural story of soceity. Its shame and you all have tolarated it. Shame.
It shows intelligence doesn’t come with certificates especially when you are so I capable to differentiate right from wrong and even participates in it. Unfortunately there’s no studies to inculcate guts in someone to stands against someone who practically disregard Morality.
The Sant referred to here is a world renowned Sant from BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Santos from BAPS do not see, hear or talk to women. They follow ashang brahmacharya. The organizers must have missed this, or ignored instructions fron this Sant ,as that is how it is always done. If you can’t respect such requests from your guest, you should invite another guest. This niyam is followed by all BAPS Santos and should be respected by whoever invites them. If you can’t, find another guest for your function.
I think instead of blaming the chief guest, it’s negligence and discrimination perpetrated by the organizing committee. If the Swamiji has something value adding for the students and CA members, but at the same time leads to women members and students to be discriminated against, ICAI Kolkata should have considered 2 basic options (a) Not to invite him and avoid courting controversy or, (b) Allow the chief guest to speak via video conferencing. I think flexible options should have beem explored in organising an academic event. His personal presence may have been important for a religious event which would legitimately allow such a prohibition of women devotees at the temple (which is still debatable), but it’s a different scenario in academic context.
Why a swami type is being invited in CA dignitaries