Following the death of a young Chartered Accountant (CA) who was employed at Ernst & Young (EY) India, the ‘stress management lessons’ and ‘find strength in divinity’ remarks made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on September 22 have sparked a serious row.

Speaking on the death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil at a medical college in Chennai, the finance minister touched upon the issue without naming EY India, and reportedly said, “A woman who had studied CA well, unable to cope with the work pressure. Two to three days ago, we received this news that she died unable to cope with the pressure.”

Adding to her address, Sitharaman remarked, “Whatever job you do, you should have the inner strength to handle that pressure. This can be achieved only through divinity.”

Responding to Sitharaman’s stress management lessons, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal wrote, “It is downright cruel on the part of the Finance Minister to blame Anna and her family for suggesting that she should have learnt stress management at home. This kind of victim blaming is despicable and no words can convey the anger and disgust one feels because of such statements.”

Another reaction in this row came from Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), who lashed out at Sitharaman, stating, “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 and 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.”

Several users on social media also alleged the minister of making insensitive remarks, and not addressing the issue at the helm of this incident, a toxic work environment.

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