PM’S silence unacceptable: Cong

119 (A) of Kerala Police Act which deals with acts in public places degrading the dignity of women. He was booked on a complaint from local DYFI leader Rateesh, police said. Facing condemnation over his remark, the actor later had claimed that he made it in an emotional state of mind and expressed regret. The Bjp-led NDA had organised the protest against the LDF government's decision not to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala Temple by lifting the ban on those between 10-50 years. The state has been rocked by protests by Congress, BJP and Hindu outfits against the government's move to implement the apex court order. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday stepped up its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the allegations of sexual harassment against Union minister M J Akbar, saying his silence was “conspicuous and unacceptable”.

As the #Metoo movement gathered pace over the last fortnight, the Union minister of state for external affairs was accused by several former colleagues of sexual harassment when he served as an editor at various media organisations.

Addressing a press conference at the party office, senior party leader Anand Sharma questioned Modi's silence on the issue and said as the head of the government he should speak on the issue.

“It is for the prime minister to speak on this issue, let the country judge its PM by his actions. So far his silence is conspicuous. This question is not only the moral authority of the government, but his own also, and the dignity of the office he holds,” Sharma said.

He claimed a prime minister, who swears by “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and talks of women dignity, has chosen to be silent.

“His silence is unacceptable. It is the head of the government who should make his views known on the issue,” Sharma said. Akbar who returned Sunday from a tour of Africa, said he would issue a statement later on. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had earlier come out in support of the #Metoo movement, saying it was time for the truth to be told “loud and clear”.

The actor later had claimed that he made it in an emotional state of mind