“She died unable to cope with the pressure”: Sitharaman’s remarks on the passing of E&Y employee

Days after the tragic passing of E&Y employee Anna Sebastien Perayil who succumbed to work pressure and passed away following a heart attack, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman voiced her opinion on the matter.

Addressing an event at a medical college in Chennai, Sitharaman said, “Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out with flying colours. A company, without mentioning its name, it’s a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA well (sic) unable to cope with the work pressure. Two-three days ago, we received news – she died unable to cope with the pressure.”

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She emphasised the need for educational institutions to teach students divinity and spirituality. “What should families teach – whatever you study and the job you do, you should have the inner strength to handle that pressure and this can be achieved through divinity only,” she said. “Believe in God, we need to have God’s grace. Seek God, and learn good discipline. Your Atmashakti will grow only from this. The inner strength will come only with growing Atmashakti,” she further stated.

Her comments elicited outrage from the opposition as well as countless social media users. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP posted on X, “Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji (sic), Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture, long work hours that took away her life which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and atleast try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek.”

Sitharaman replied to Chaturvedi’s post on X and clarified that she did not intend to shame the victim in any way, nor did she take the names of the employee or the firm, and that she merely highlighted the importance of institutional and familial support to children. She stated that the Union Labour Ministry would probe into the matter and look into the allegations of an exploitative work culture that led to the tragic demise.

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