'I wasn't victim shaming EY employee, the stress on her was unbearable': FM Sitharaman clarifies

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), clarified that she did not intend to engage in victim-shaming the 26-year-old EY employee who died due to unbearable work stress.

Sitharaman explained that her remarks, made during a talk at a university near Chennai, were focused on the importance of building inner strength for students facing demanding circumstances, like the Chartered Accountancy (CA) exam.

Referring to her speech, she noted, "No names were taken, neith

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), clarified that she did not intend to engage in victim-shaming the 26-year-old EY employee who died due to unbearable work stress.

Sitharaman explained that her remarks, made during a talk at a university near Chennai, were focused on the importance of building inner strength for students facing demanding circumstances, like the Chartered Accountancy (CA) exam.

Referring to her speech, she noted, "No names were taken, neither of the lady nor of the firm." She emphasized that her mention of inner strength was meant in the context of supporting students through institutional and family care, and not to shift blame onto the victim.

Sitharaman also expressed her grief over the tragic loss, stating that "in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely."

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

FM Sithamran was replying to Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi after facing backlash over her remarks on Anna Sebastian Perayil's death.

It's worth noting the Minister of State for the Labour Ministry, Shobha Karandlaje, on Thursday, announced that an official complaint has been filed with the investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment underway.

The inquiry came after the massive social media outrage erupted following the tragic death of 26-year-old EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil.

Karandlaje confirmed that the Labour Ministry has formally taken up the complaint. "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway," Karandlaje wrote.

She was responding to former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who had raised concerns on X (formerly Twitter) about the corporate work culture following Perayil's death.

"This is very sad but also disturbing at many levels," Chandrasekhar wrote.

"I request the Government of India, mansukhmandviya, and ShobhaBJP to investigate these allegations made by the mother of unsafe and exploitative work environment that claimed the life of young, full of future Anna Sebastian Perayil," he added.