Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is facing mounting criticism following her remarks about managing stress through spirituality and inner strength in response to the tragic death of a young Chartered Accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune. Anna, just 26, died in July 2024, four months after joining the company. Her death has spotlighted concerns over toxic work environments in corporate India.
Sitharaman, speaking at an event, suggested that students should be taught to manage stress through divinity and spirituality. Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena and Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, condemned the remarks as insensitive, accusing the Finance Minister of “victim-shaming.” Chaturvedi emphasized that Anna’s inner strength was not in question, but rather the “toxic work culture” and excessive work hours that likely contributed to her death. Venugopal criticized the government for ignoring the struggles of young professionals while focusing on corporate interests.
Read her response
Dear @priyankac19,
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,…
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 23, 2024
Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, in a letter to EY India’s chairman, detailed the intense workload and stress her daughter endured. She described how Anna would often return home exhausted and overwhelmed, highlighting the emotional toll the job took on her. EY expressed “profound sorrow” over the incident and pledged full support to the family, while also promising to address concerns about workplace well-being.
In response to the outcry, the Indian government has initiated an investigation into the work environment at EY. Union Labour Ministry officials have assured the public that they are probing the allegations of exploitative conditions. Despite the promises, critics continue to demand deeper reforms in corporate culture to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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The tragedy has sparked widespread debate on overwork, mental health, and corporate responsibility in India. Many are calling for structural changes to safeguard young professionals from exploitative practices that lead to extreme stress and burnout
