• Source:JND
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Larsen & Toubro ( L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan is currently under heavy criticism for his remarks suggesting that employees should work 90 hours a week. The comments were made during a recent interaction with employees, where Subrahmanyan was asked why L&T staff are still required to work on Saturdays, unlike the standard five-day workweek observed by most other companies. His remarks have stirred significant debate online, eliciting mixed reactions from celebrities, entrepreneurs, and the general public.

What Did He Say?

During the discussion, Subrahmanyan stated, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier because I work on Sundays. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wife stare at her husband?”

He further cited the example of the Chinese workforce, claiming they work 90 hours a week, “So that’s the answer for you. If you want to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys. Come on.”

L&T later issued a statement on social media addressing the controversy. The company said, "At L&T, nation-building is at the core of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India's infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities. We believe this is India's decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. "

“The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasizing that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward.”

 
 
 
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A post shared by Faye D’Souza (@fayedsouza)

These comments sparked widespread outrage on social media. Celebrities like Deepika Padukone and industrialists such as Harsh Goenka openly criticised the remarks.

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'And They Just Made It Worse..': Deepika Padukone's Reaction

Actor and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone strongly criticised Subrahmanyan's comments. Sharing a post by journalist Faye D'Souza on Instagram Stories, Deepika wrote, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements.”

She added the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters.

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When L&T issued their explanation, Deepika followed up with another story, writing, “And they just made it worse...”

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Industrialist Harsh Goenka Speaks Out

RPG Group Chairperson Harsh Goenka also expressed his disapproval. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he posted,“90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ a mythical concept! Working hard and smart is what I believe in, but turning life into a perpetual office shift? That’s a recipe for burnout, not success. Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Well, that’s my view! #WorkSmartNotSlave.”

Other Reactions

Badminton star Gutta Jwala called Subrahmanyan’s statements “disappointing and scary” on X, tweeting, “I mean…first of all why shouldn’t he stare at his wife…and why only on a Sunday!!! It’s 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 statements and exposing themselves so openly!! It’s disappointing and scary!!!!".

Social media users also weighed in, pointing out that Subrahmanyan’s high earnings and privileged position shield him from many of the daily responsibilities faced by average employees, allowing him more time to dedicate to work.

One user sarcastically wrote, “L&T employees must be desperately applying to Infosys so they can get 20 extra hours of rest, relaxation, and wife-staring.”

Another commented, “It’s only because of poor labour laws in India that the L&T Chairman has the guts to say he regrets not being able to make employees work on Sundays. Such a shame. Clearly, he doesn’t have any personal life and wants others to suffer the same.”

A third user added, “Why not set up a bed in the office for each employee so they can start working as soon as they wake up? What a downfall of culture where employees are treated like slaves.”