Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has responded to the massive row surrounding her remarks on the death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant working with Ernst & Young, allegedly due to work pressure.
Ms Sitharaman had said people need inner strength to handle pressure and this can only be achieved by divinity. Several social media users, including leaders from the Opposition, termed the remarks insensitive.
The minister has now responded to Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), who had flagged the Finance Minister’s remarks and accused her of victim-shaming.
“Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed University on the outskirts of Chennai. Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken, neither of the lady nor of the firm,” Ms Sitharaman said in her response to Ms Chaturvedi’s post on X.
Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji,
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) September 23, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/HP9vMrX3qR
“The University has set up a Meditation Hall and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. It is in this context that I spoke on how it is necessary to build inner strength for students. With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely,” she added.
The Finance Minister also underlined that the Union Labour Ministry has assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment leading to the death of Anna Sebastian Perivayil.
The Finance Minister, in her remarks at the deemed university, had said the 26-year-old who studied CA was unable to cope with the work pressure.
“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,” the Finance Minister added.
“Educational institutions should bring in divinity and spirituality. Then only will our children get the inner strength, it will help in their progress and that of the country. That is my strong belief,” she was quoted as saying, according to a PTI report.
The remarks sparked a row, with many social media users terming them insensitive.
Priyanka Chaturvedi said in a post on X, “Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji, Anna had (the) 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 at least try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek.”
Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji,
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) September 23, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/HP9vMrX3qR
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Source: NDTV
