Anwesha Dash, Pune
Netizens and Opposition MPs have cited Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman’s statements over the death of a 27-year-old employee of EY Pune due to work related stress as “insensitive” and “blaming the victim rather than the toxic work-culture”.
The FM, while addressing an event in a medical college of Chennai, mentioned the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil. Perayil was a 27-year-old employee at an audit firm in Pune known as Ernst and Young (EY) who recently passed away due to alleged work stress. A letter written by the deceased’s mother has been making rounds in social media high-lighting the last few days of the 27-year-old. Conversations around work-load in corporate offices and mental health issues related to work stress are widespread.
Amidst these concerns and conversations, the FM referred to the death in her speech and said without mentioning names that “a woman who had studied for CA [Chartered Accountancy]” had died without being able to cope with work pressure.
The Minister further imparted advice on how families should teach their children to handle pressure. FM Sitharaman stated that children should be taught that whatever they study and the job they do- they should have the inner strength to handle the pressure. She further said that this inner strength or “Atmashakti” can be achieved through spirituality and divinity.
“Seek God and learn good discipline”, said Ms Sitharaman in her address. The FM opined that one needs God’s grace and believe in God; and then “Atmashakti” will grow. She also went on to advise educational institutions to introduce divinity and spirituality among children. From this children will get their inner strength and the country will develop more, is what Ms Sitharman said she believes.
These statements have fueled the fire around the conversations of “toxic work culture”. Opposition leaders such Priyanka Chaturvedi from Shiv Sena, Sandosh Kumar from CPI and Congress leader KC Venugopal have objected to the statements. These leaders accused the FM of making insensitive remarks and have also alleged that the current BJP government does not understand the issues of the working class. On social media as well, many young employees themselves have stated their displeasure over Ms. Sitharman’s remarks over stress and work management.
As of yet, no further statements have been given either by the FM or the government on the row over the comments.