Furious with Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes for empathising with workers who killed their boss, the business community said on Wednesday by that measure politicians who do not perform should be lynched.
"If we go by his argument then he should be lynched in his constituency if he does not perform," Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce (Northern Region) chairman Diljeet Titus told PTI.
Fernandes said on Tuesday that 'simmering discontent among the workers' led to the lynching of L K Chaudhary, CEO of an Italy-based auto-component manufacturer Cerlikon-Graziano in Greater Noida.
"This should serve as a warning for the managements. It is my appeal to the managements that the workers should be dealt with compassion.
"The workers should not be pushed so hard that they resort to whatever that had happened in Noida," the minister had told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
To this, an enraged Titus retorted, "Disputes are integral part of any business, but there is a way to resolve them".
"We have legal processes to settle any dispute. If any person is fired without keeping rules in mind, he can approach the court and opt for other mechanisms, but in any case killing an innocent person is not the option," he added.
There are about 150 Italian joint venture companies in the northern region.
"The episode will certainly have an adverse impact on these companies whereas others will also think about their future," Titus who also heads Titus and Company, a law firm, said.
Arguing that the disgruntled unions have always expressed anger in their own way, Titus said: "In the last five years, I cannot remember any such case where the CEO of a company has been murdered by the mob."
He lamented that multinational corporations become soft targets because they work honestly and do not pay heed to unlawful demands of local netas and gundas.
"Indian businessmen manoeuvre their way by offering bakshish and can get away in such situations with the help of anti-social elements but most multinational corporations don't follow such tricks and are victimised," he said.
"There is a sense of deep shock among Italian businessmen, but we cannot comment what will be the long-term impact. We are still assessing the situation," commercial counsellor at Italian Embassy Nicolo Tassoni said.
Nath seeks to soothe tempers: The Centre said on Wednesday that legal course would be followed to bring culprits to book.
"This incident is very unfortunate and we strongly condemn it. The legal course will be followed and all the culprits will be punished. This stray tragic occurrence would not be allowed to mar India's position as investment destination. . .," Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said on Wednesday.
Nath is leaving for Paris this weekend where he is scheduled to interact with European investors.
Nath said that the violence at the Greater Noida plant was at variance with the Indian culture and tradition of peace.
Fernandes, however, apologised for his remarks on Wednesday.