From Supriya Sule to Ajit Pawar: How politicians reacted to the death of EY employee Anna Sebastian from Pune

The death of Anna Sebastian, a 26-year-old chartered accountant employed by Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, has elicited a unified response from politicians across parties. From Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, several politicians have stressed the urgent need to address work pressure in corporate environments.

Pawar, who is also the Guardian Minister of Pune, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he was saddened to learn of the death of the EY employee “due to stress”. “The rising number of cases of young people dying due to stress requires our attention. I hope Ernst & Young India will take remedial measures,” he added.

Supriya Sule, acting president of the NCP (SP) and MP for Baramati, said Anna's death should be a “wake-up call” and stated, “It is critical that the government not only enforces our existing labour laws much more strictly but also takes note of the rapid digitization of workplaces and puts in place measures to protect the welfare of our citizens, rather than just condemning the individual case and pretending that the responsibility lies with someone other than the government.”

Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale stressed that “toxic labour practices in all private companies must be stopped immediately. All workers are entitled to fair pay and regular working hours.” He added that he would raise the issue during the winter session of Parliament.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, MP for Shiv Sena (UBT), wrote: “Does @EYnews get away with this kind of work environment for employees with crushing working hours and toxic work environment in countries like US and Europe? No, they know very well they can't. In India, we glorify the 72-hour work week, we glorify the idea of ​​not having work-life balance, we glorify not taking a holiday, not taking a break, that's why most of the HR departments of companies eliminate this aspect of employee life and its own responsibility.”

KT Rama Rao, Working President of BRS, said Anna's death was a “grim reminder that workplace pressures are not just about deadlines, but also about dignity”. “I request all my young friends in the business world to understand that their own lives are more important. The job advertisements will appear faster than the obituaries and your bosses will not have time to attend your funerals. It is your families who have to live in constant pain. Remember that life is short as it is. Never cut it short. Stay strong.”

Meanwhile, Indian Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said an investigation has been launched into the case. “Whether it is a white collar job or any other job, a worker or employee at any level… when a citizen of a country dies, then of course we are saddened by it. An investigation is underway into the matter and steps will be taken based on the investigation,” Mandaviya said.