Mon Sep 23 21:50:51 UTC 2024: ## Finance Minister Clarifies Comments on CA’s Death, Denies “Victim Shaming”

**New Delhi:** Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified her remarks on the recent death of a young CA professional, stating that they were not intended to “victim shame”.

The controversy arose after Sitharaman, in a speech at a private medical college, referenced the death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed away four months into her job at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune. Her mother alleged that her daughter died due to “work pressure and long work hours”, sparking a nationwide debate.

Sitharaman, however, stated that her comments were made in the context of emphasizing the importance of institutions and families in supporting students facing stress after rigorous studies. She emphasized that she did not name the deceased or her company, and that her intention was to highlight the need for building inner strength.

The Finance Minister’s remarks drew criticism, with Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi accusing her of “victim shaming”. In response, Sitharaman clarified that her comments were made in Tamil during a talk at a deemed university, where she spoke about the need for meditation and spiritual support for students.

The Union Labour Ministry has assured a thorough investigation into allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the deceased’s death.

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