'Why shouldn’t he stare at his wife': Jwala Gutta Slams L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s Comments on Working Sundays

Former India shuttler Jwala Gutta didn’t hold back in criticizing Subrahmanyan’s comments. Calling them “misogynistic,” she emphasized the need to take mental health and rest seriously.

In a social media post, Gutta wrote:
“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 the 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!!!!”

Her response has struck a chord with netizens, with many echoing her sentiments and highlighting the need to prioritize employee well-being over relentless work demands.
 

The controversy erupted following the circulation of an old video of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan. In the clip, he advocated for employees to work on Sundays, dismissing the need for personal time and implying that weekends are better spent in the office.

In the video, Subrahmanyan is heard saying:
“I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.”

The statement, suggesting the sacrifice of weekends for productivity, has drawn sharp criticism for disregarding the importance of mental health and personal time.
 

L&T’s Clarification and More Backlash
In response to the backlash, L&T defended Subrahmanyan’s remarks, stating they were made in the context of “driving extraordinary outcomes for the nation.”

“The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasizing that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. We remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward,” the company said.

Deepika Padukone Weighs In
Adding to the controversy, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone voiced her disapproval of Subrahmanyan’s remarks, labelling the intense 90-hour workweek he seemed to advocate as damaging. Her comments further amplified the debate on workplace culture and the importance of work-life balance.

Also Read: ‘Work-Life Balance Is Essential’: RPG Group’s Harsh Goenka Slams L&T Chair’s 90-Hour Workweek Proposal | Republic Business