We want a hike: HCL employees chant during 50th anniversary concert goes viral

New DelhiJul 30, 2026 10:52 AM IST The Chennai event was part of a series of concerts organised by HCL across different cities to commemorate its 50th anniversary (Photo: @devops_nk/X)A video from HCL Group’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Chennai has gone viral after employees were heard asking for a salary raise during an event with C Vijayakumar, the company’s CEO and managing director. The video begins with a large image of CMD C Vijayakumar on the screen, then cuts to him walking onto the stage. Moments later, as the CEO greets those gathered at the event, a section of employees can be heard repeatedly chanting, “We want a hike”HCL has not publicly responded to the viral video. The Chennai event was part of a series of concerts organised by HCL across different cities to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The celebration included a private concert for employees featuring musician Anirudh Ravichander. Watch here: When the CEO of HCL came on stage, employees started chanting, “We want a hike!” pic.twitter.com/hty1tNGp26 — Nandkishor (@devops_nk) July 27, 2026 ‘They showed courage’ The video has since drawn a wave of reactions supporting the employees for raising their voices. “Yea, now thats the only way to be heard by your employer whose leadership sits on a pile of money and gives the petty employees just a handful,” a user wrote. “I think the employees did the right thing. I worked at HCL for 6 years in Lucknow, and even after all those years, my in-hand salary never crossed ₹20,000. I still have friends who have been with HCL for 7 to 8 years and are earning below ₹20,000. Employees deserve fair pay,” another user argued. “atleast they showed courage , In our HO people are just scared to say anything,” a third user chimed in. According to HCL’s website, Vijayakumar was part of the founding team of HCL Comnet and played a key role in building the company’s Remote Infrastructure Management business, which later evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global industry.Story continues below this ad Vijayakumar also serves as a director on the boards of HCL America, HCL America Solutions Inc, HCL Latin America Holdings LLC, HCL Canada Inc, and Geometric Americas, Inc.