“Strengthen the inner strength of your students”: Foreign Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stresses the importance of institutions and families supporting children

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday expressed her grief over the tragic loss of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil and stressed the importance of institutions and families supporting the children. She also said that the Union Labour Ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment in connection with the tragic death.

The comments came after Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, a member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), hit out at the finance minister for her remark that students should have the inner strength to handle pressure.

In a post on X, Chaturvedi wrote, “Dear Nirmala Sitaraman ji, Anna had the inner strength to handle the stress that came with the grueling Chartered Accountant degree. It was the toxic work culture and long working hours that took her life. This needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and at least try to be a little sensitive. I am sure God will show you the way if you seek it.”

The Finance Minister then said, “Dear Priyanka Chaturvedi, I have raised this matter in a lecture delivered in Tamil at a prestigious university on the outskirts of Chennai. I have specifically mentioned that the stress was unbearable for her after passing such a demanding and rigorous examination as the CA. No names were mentioned, neither that of the lady nor that of the company.”

“The university has set up a meditation room and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. In this context, I spoke about the importance of building the inner strength of the students,” Sitharaman said.

She also said that the Union Labour Ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment in connection with the tragic death.

“With a sense of sadness over the tragic loss, I have stressed the importance of institutions and families supporting the children. In no way was or is there any intention to stigmatise the victims, not even remotely,” Sitharaman added.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed her CA exams in 2023, worked at EY's Pune office for four months before she succumbed. Earlier this month, her mother wrote to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, pointing out the “glorification” of overwork at the multinational consulting firm.

Last week, EY issued a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing in July 2024.”

EY has been in contact with the family since the death and is helping them, but only now has the family decided to write to the company and complain about the “excessive workload,” it said.

EY has announced that it will continue to improve workplaces and ensure healthy workplaces in its offices across the country.

“Anna was part of the audit team at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a short period of four months and joined the firm on March 18, 2024. That her promising career has ended in this tragic way is an irreparable loss for all of us,” EY said in the statement.