The controversy surrounding SN Subrahmanyan‘s comment on Working hours has ignited a social media storm after his comments on employee work culture, particularly regarding working on Sundays. In a recent employee interaction, Subrahmanyan expressed his wish to make employees work on Sundays, stating that he worked on Sundays. He then questioned, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you look at your wife?.” His remarks quickly went viral, sparking intense backlash from celebrities and leaders across India.
Jwala Gutta Criticized His Remark
Former Indian shuttler Jwala Gutta was one of the first to slam Subrahmanyan’s comments. She expressed disappointment over the disregard for mental health. She found it “sad” to see influential individuals fail to take mental well-being seriously. Gutta called his statement “misogynistic” and labeled the episode as “disappointing and scary.” She also raised questions about his comment, saying, “Why shouldn’t he stare at his wife, and why only on a Sunday?”
I mean…first of all why shouldn’t he stare at his wife…and why only on a Sunday!!!
its sad and sometimes unbelievable that such educated and people at highest positions of big organisations are not taking mental health and mental rest seriously…and making such misogynistic…— Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) January 10, 2025
Deepika Padukone Joins the Criticism
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also reacted strongly to Subrahmanyan’s remarks. She shared her disapproval on Instagram, calling the statement “shocking” and emphasizing the importance of mental health with the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters. Despite L&T issuing a clarification that the chairman’s remarks were aimed at promoting hard work for national progress, Padukone was unimpressed, adding, “And they just made it worse.”
Subrahmanyan’s Remarks Spark Heated Debate on Work Culture
The controversy erupted when Subrahmanyan answered a question about why L&T employees had to work on Saturdays, a practice that is becoming less common in modern workplaces. His response, advocating for a 90-hour workweek and even encouraging Sunday work, has been met with outrage. Critics have condemned the chairman’s suggestion that employees “get to the office and start working” for its tone and implications. They have especially raised concerns about its impact on work-life balance.
L&T Responds with Clarification
Amid the growing backlash, a spokesperson for Larsen & Toubro issued a statement defending Subrahmanyan’s comments, stating that they reflected the company’s ambition to contribute to India’s development. The statement emphasized that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort, and the chairman’s remarks were made in this context. However, the clarification failed to appease critics, with many calling for a more balanced approach to work culture.
As the debate continues to unfold, it’s clear that Subrahmanyan’s comments have raised serious concerns about the importance of mental health and work-life balance in today’s professional world.