Mon Sep 23 21:50:43 UTC 2024: ## Finance Minister Faces Backlash Over “Inner Strength” Remarks Following CA’s Death

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has faced criticism over her comments regarding the death of 26-year-old chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, who allegedly died due to work pressure at EY.

Sitharaman, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), clarified that her remarks on inner strength and spirituality were made in the context of a university’s newly established Meditation Hall and place of worship. She was speaking at the university and emphasized the importance of inner strength for students in dealing with stress.

The minister expressed grief over the tragedy and underlined the need for institutions and families to support young individuals. She denied any intention of victim-shaming.

However, opposition leaders and social media users have accused Sitharaman of insensitivity. Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal criticized the ruling regime for focusing on corporate giants while overlooking the struggles of young professionals.

Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi highlighted that Anna had already demonstrated immense inner strength in pursuing a challenging career. She argued that the focus should be on addressing the toxic work culture and long work hours that contributed to her death.

The Union Labour Ministry has assured a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Anna’s death, with a particular focus on the work environment.

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