‘Whatever the job you do, you should have inner strength to handle the pressure’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman on EY employee’s death

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has created a furore over 26-year-old Ernst & Young (EY) India employee Anna Sebastian Perayil, who died allegedly due to overwork, as she said people need inner strength to deal with pressure and this can only be achieved through divinity.

Several social media users, including opposition leaders, have termed the remarks insensitive.

Speaking at an event at a medical college in Chennai, Sitharaman said, “Our children go to colleges and universities to study and come out with flying colors. A company, without mentioning its name, is a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA well (unable to cope with the pressure of work). Two or three days ago, we got the news – she was unable to cope with the pressure,” he said.

Such an insensitive, despicable and outrageous statement again from none other than our respected FM of country.. 🤬🤬

One young CA was pressurised to work FULL 24 hours a day and she is preaching for a stress management lesson ?? https://t.co/DrZnAnePpB pic.twitter.com/BAiTojoAoZ

— Sourabh Mishra (@iSourabhMishra) September 22, 2024

“What families should be taught, whatever you study and what you do, you should have the inner strength to deal with this pressure and that can only be achieved through divinity,” he said. “Believe in God, we need to receive God’s grace. Seek God and learn good discipline. Only this will increase your soul power. The finance minister further said that internal strength will come only from the growth of Atma Shakti.

Reacting to Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the finance minister’s statement.

Dear Nirmala Sitharaman ji, Anna had the inner strength to deal with the stress that arose after getting a rigorous degree of chartered accountancy. It was a toxic work culture, long hours of work that took away their lives that needed to be addressed. Stop shaming the victims and at least try to be a little sensitive, I’m sure God will guide you if you want.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also highlighted the issue, saying the life of an intelligent and committed young professional has been “tragically cut off due to toxic and unforgivable working conditions”.

“I have promised Anna’s family that along with the full support of the Congress party, they will ensure that this tragedy triggers change,’ said Gandhi.

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