#MeToo Movement: Minister MJ Akbar, Accused of Sexual Harassment, Should Answer or Resign, Demands Congress
Congress also targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and said that her silence on the issue is a matter of concern as it involves women and their issue of safety.
The Congress party has demanded resignation of MJ Akbar, journalist turned Minister of State (MoS), who has been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by several women so far, after the #MeToo movement gained momentum in India. Women from the field of media and entertainment have been calling out names on social media, narrating incidents of sexual misdemeanor and assault against them. #MeToo Movement Grips Indian Politics; Female Journalist Accuses Union Minister MJ Akbar Of Making Sexual Advances.
Jaipal Reddy of Congress, speaking at a press conference, said that the Union Minister M J Akbar "should either give a satisfactory answer to the allegations or he should resign. We demand an inquiry into the matter."
Congress also targeted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and said that her silence on the issue is a matter of concern as it involves women and their issue of safety. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, was also asked for his comment on allegations on MJ Akbar, but he too refused to talk on the matter.
On Tuesday, journalist Mayank Jain, principal correspondent for Business Standard, resigned after sexual allegations were levelled against him. Prashant Jha, political editor of Hindustan Times, also resigned after sexual harassment allegations on him.
AIB comedians Tanmay Bhat and Gursimran Khamba were told to leave the company, after it came to the fore that they were aware about comedian Utsav Chakraborty's sexual misconduct but did nothing against it. While Tanmay Bhat will not be involved with AIB in any way, Gursimran Khamba has also been accused of sexual harassment. Serious allegations of rape were leveled on actor Alok Nath on Tuesday, and another actor accused him on Wednesday of making sexual advancements on him.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2018 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).