Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was on Monday compelled to explain her remarks on work pressure following an intense backlash over what was seen as victim-shaming in the wake of the sudden and untimely death of a 26-year-old Ernst & Young employee in Pune.

Responding to the criticism, Sitharaman denied having indulged in victim-shaming.

While addressing an event at a medical college in Chennai on Sunday, the minister had reportedly said people needed inner strength to handle pressure and it could only be achieved by divinity.

She was speaking in Tamil and was quoted by PTI as saying: “Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out with flying colours. A company (without mentioning its name) it’s a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA, well, unable to cope with the work pressure, two-three days ago we received news — she died unable to cope with the pressure.

“What should families teach — whatever you study and the job you do, you should have the inner strength to handle that pressure and this can be achieved through divinity only.”

Sitharaman didn’t mention either the company or Anna Sebastian Perayil, the deceased girl. Anna’s mother had in a heart-rending letter talked about the work pressure her daughter had to deal with at EY and how no one from the organisation had even attended her funeral.

After several Opposition parties trained their guns on Sitharaman for victim-shaming, the minister issued a clarification through a post on X.

Replying to the criticism by Shiv Sena (Thackeray) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sitharaman posted: “Had referred to this matter in a talk delivered in Tamil at a deemed university on the outskirts of Chennai. Had specifically mentioned that after clearing a demanding and rigorous examination such as CA, the stress on her was unbearable. No names were taken, neither of the lady nor the firm.”

Sitharaman added: “The University has set up a Meditation Hall and a place of worship for all its students and faculty. It is in this context that I spoke on how it is necessary to build inner strength for students.

“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. The Union labour ministry has already assured a thorough investigation into the allegations of an exploitative work environment related to the tragic demise.”

Chaturvedi had said: “Anna had inner strength to handle the stress that came with pursuing a gruelling Chartered Accountancy degree. It was the toxic work culture, long work hours that took away her life which needs to be addressed. Stop victim shaming and at least try to be a little sensitive, am sure god will be the guide if you seek.”

Soon after Sitharaman’s remarks, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal had on Sunday posted on X: “The ruling regime and the Finance Minister can only see the pain of corporate giants like Adani and Ambani, not the pain of the hardworking and toiling young generation where freshers like Anna are exploited by the greedy corporate system, if they even succeed in getting a job in this era of historic joblessness.

“It is downright cruel on the part of the Finance Minister to blame Anna and her family for suggesting that she should have learnt stress management at home. This kind of victim blaming is despicable and no words can convey the anger and disgust one feels because of such statements. How heartless can this government be? Have they lost all sense of empathy? The parents are still recovering from this terrible tragedy. The toxic work environment should have triggered an honest review of corporate practices and led to necessary reforms that protect employees.”

The Left parties also came out strongly against Sitharaman. CPI Rajya Sabha member A.A. Rahim posted: “Sitharaman’s comment on Anna Sebastian’s death, implying stress should be handled at home or by belief in God, is alarming. It downplays the real struggles faced by youth in toxic work environments. Such insensitivity is unacceptable. The Union minister’s statement reflects the wider disregard for the well-being of young professionals in India. Sitharaman must withdraw her insensitive remark and issue a public apology. Our youth deserve compassion, not dismissal of their struggles.”

CPI Rajya Sabha member P. Santhosh Kumar also demanded an apology from Sitharaman.