Tue Sep 24 04:10:43 UTC 2024: ## Finance Minister Clarifies Remarks on EY Employee’s Death, Denies Victim-Shaming

**New Delhi, India:** Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified her recent remarks on the death of an Ernst & Young (EY) employee, Anna Sebastian, assuring the public that she did not intend to engage in victim-shaming.

Sitharaman’s initial comments, made during a speech urging educational institutions to integrate stress management into their curricula, sparked controversy. While not naming Sebastian directly, she referenced a CA graduate who died due to work pressure, leading to criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi accused the Minister of victim-shaming, arguing that Sebastian’s death was a result of a toxic work culture, not a lack of personal resilience.

In response, Sitharaman clarified that her intention was to highlight the need for building inner strength, especially for students who have already endured demanding academic programs. She emphasized the importance of support systems within families and institutions to help young professionals navigate workplace stressors.

The Minister asserted that she had not named either the deceased employee or the firm in her original remarks and that her comments were made with a sense of grief over Sebastian’s tragic death.

Sebastian, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant, passed away in July from a heart attack. Her family has alleged that she was overworked and faced intense pressure at her job, leading to insufficient sleep and meals.

The case has brought attention to the issue of workplace stress and the need for companies to prioritize employee well-being.

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