Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has responded to the massive row surrounding her remarks on the death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant working with Ernst & Young, allegedly due to work pressu

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday responded to accusations of "victim shaming" as the opposition criticised her remarks on the death of 26-year-old chartered accountant. Anna Sebastian Perayil reportedly died due to extreme work pressure at Ernst & Young (EY).

Sitharaman earlier emphasised the need for inner strength to cope with pressure, which she said can be achieved only through spiritual practices. The remarks ignited backlash.

Sitharaman said: "With a sense of grief over the tragic loss, I highlighted the importance of institutions and families to support the children, and in no way victim shaming was done nor intended, even remotely.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, in an apparent reference to the recent death of a young CA professional employed with Ernest and Young (EY), called for “stress management lessons” in colleges and universities. The Congress later slammed her for her remark.

Sitharaman, in a post on X, clarified that her comments on inner strength and spirituality were made in the context of the university’s newly established Meditation Hall and place of worship, designed to support students and faculty.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks on Anna's death have not gone down well with the people, social media users, and opposition leaders alike

In the wake of death of a 26-year-old CA professional employed with Ernst & Young (EY), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for stress management lessons by colleges and universities to help increase the students' inner strength.