Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday clarified her, remarks on the of an ernst young employee saying she didn’t intend to do “victim shaming”.
Earlier, Sitharaman had urged educational institutions to integrate stress management lessons into their curricula to better prepare students for challenging life situations. Without naming the EY employee, Anna sebastian whose death sparked widespread debare. the minister said, “There, a woman who had studied CA well, unable to cope with the work pressure two-three days ago we received a news — she died, unable to cope with the pressure.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised Sitharaman’s remark, asserting that the EY employee had inner strength but that it was the toxic work culture that led to her death.
Anna had the inner strength to handle the stress of pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture and long work hours that claimed her life, and that needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming, and at least try to be a little sensitive. I’m sure God will guide you if you seek it,” Chaturvedi tweeted.
Responding to the tweet, the Union Minister wrote, “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. 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”.
She added,”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”.
Anna Sebastian, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant at EY’s Pune office, one of the Big Four accounting firms, died in July from a heart attack. Her family claims she was overwhelmed by an excessive workload, leaving her with little time to sleep or eat properly. The case gained widespread attention after her parents recently spoke out about the gruelling conditions she endured at work.
