NARI SHAKTI’S DUSSEHRA GIFT TO AKBAR’S VICTIMS
Storm on social media forces M. J. Akbar to put in his resignation Sources said the decision on resignation was taken after BJP president Amit Shah had a meeting with national security adviser Ajit Doval to discuss the issue on Tuesday.
Asthe # MeToo movement gains ground, the determination and courage of 20 women journalists who have worked with The Asian
Age newspaper, “forced” Union minister M. J. Akbar to step down on Wednesday evening, a day ahead of the first hearing of the defamation case filed by him in a Delhi court.
The 20 journalists urged the court to hear their testimonies against Akbar, claiming that some of them suffered sexual harassment by the minister and others have been a witness to it.
“Minister M. J. Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against our former colleague Priya Ramani for calling out his predatory behaviour towards the young women he employed at The
Asian Age when he was its editor and proprietor. “This, despite the powerful testimonies of several other women who have stepped forward to speak out against his sexual misconduct.
“What Mr Akbar has demonstrated through his legal actions is his refusal to introspect, acknowledge or atone for his actions that have caused immense pain and indeed harm to many many women over the years, they said.
In a statement, Mr Akbar said he thought it “appropriate” to resign since he had decided in his personal capacity to challenge the accusations in court.
However, sources said the BJP’s top brass had decided it was time for an embattled Mr Akbar to step down.
Sources said the decision on resignation was taken after BJP president Amit Shah had a meeting with national security adviser Ajit Doval to discuss the issue on Tuesday.
Political observers noted it was becoming increasingly untenable for the government and the BJP to ignore the allegations and withstand the pressure amid calls from the Opposition for his resignation.
He, has only resigned from the ministry, and not from the Rajya Sabha or the party.
There was also growing discomfiture within the BJP that the allegations against Mr Akbar and his continuation as a minister could have an adverse electoral fallout, especially in urban areas. SADANAND MENON, professor
Cultural critic Men on was one of the names on Raya Sarkar’s list last year. She had accused him of sexually harassing her at SPACES, an art space in Chennai. He will not be teaching his course at the ACJ. SUHEL SETH, marketing consultant
The author and socialite has been accused by two women of sexual assault that involved gross misuse of power. One of the accusers, filmmaker Natashja Rathore, came forward with her account of Seth taking advantage of her and taking her home without informing her.
CHETAN BHAGAT, writer
Writer and columnist Bhagat was accused of misconduct and sending her inappropriate messages. Bhagat, married at the time, apologised for his behaviour in a Facebook post.
STALIN K. PADMA, One of the founders of popular community media platform, Video Volunteers ( VV).
At least two women, who worked with VV, narrated similar stories about how Stalin touched them inappropriately and, on sensing a lack of reciprocation, remained casual in his demeanour, forcing the women to doubt their discomfort.
CHINTAN RUPAREL, Terribly Tiny Tales co- founder
An anonymous blogger detailed an alleged sexual encounter with Chintan Ruparel of the popular flash fiction platform Terribly Tiny Tales. A female workshop attendee’s feedback form stated that she had been made uncomfortable by a male team member.