China, August 15: The head of China's government-run Buddhist association has quit his post amid a probe into allegations that he forced several nuns into having sex with him. Longquan Monastery abbot Shi Xuecheng was accused of harassing and asking for sexual favours from many nuns in a 95-page statement compiled by two fellow monks. The monk stepped down at a meeting of the Buddhist Association of China on Wednesday. Longquan Monastery Abbot Shi Xuecheng Accused of Sexual Misconduct As #MeToo Movement Gains Traction in China.

The incidents gained limelight as the #MeToo Movement started attracting traction in China. The statement includes the testimony of various women who have faced harassment, and they opened their experience on social media. These messages were widely circulated on Chinese social media before being censored. After the harrowing experience, some of the victims were in a suicidal condition and also became mentally unstable. The top religious authority launched an investigation shortly after the allegations were made public.

Xuecheng is a popular face on social media, with a huge fan following. The whistle-blowers who had reported the incident have been expelled from the monastery and are cooperating with the government investigation.

(With inputs from AFP)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2018 01:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).