As the #MeToo movement has intensified in India many wolves in the sheep’s skin have been exposed. Many well-known men belonging to media and film industry have already lost their jobs. Now, the #MeToo movement has stormed into the political circle of India. Several women journalists have accused journalist turned politician and the incumbent Minister of State for External Affairs- MJ Akbar- of sexually harassing them during his stint as an editor in newspapers.
As soon as the allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against MJ Akbar, the cabal woke up and started sharing their opinion unequivocally. The cabal demanded that either MJ Akbar should resign or the BJP should remove him from his MoS of External affairs post. They also started with the trend #sackMJAkbar. Such enthusiasm was absent when the dark side of their coteries was exposed by several women. The cabal even defended the sexual assaulters.
However, the proposition side did not adopt similar hypocrisy. Rashmi Das, Sangh Parivar activist and Sangh insider questioned the silence of the BJP on serious allegations of sexual harassment against their cabinet minister. In her article in the firstpost, she said, “He (MJ Akbar) must be ousted, investigated and punished for abuse.” She concluded her write-up by saying, “You needn’t have a #MeToo moment to support the woman journalists who have narrated their victimisation. You needn’t even be a woman. You just need to have a sensibility of what is right and what is wrong.” RSS Sah-Sarakaryavah (Joint General Secretary) also endorsed the same views.
I liked it. She has articulated what I was feeling .. pic.twitter.com/2uQpYdmeQs
— Dattatreya Hosabale (@DattaHosabale) October 11, 2018
Now, according to the Jagran report, the government MoS for External Affairs Minister MJ Akbar may have to step down because of the charges of sexual abuse under the #MeToo campaign. The report further states that the government can take strict action. He may have to resign till the investigation is completed. On Sunday after his return from foreign tour, a decision on Akbar’s continuation in the government will be taken.
According to the Hindustan Times report, a BJP functionary on the condition of anonymity said the issue was informally discussed by the party. The party functionary also said, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, he used to go door-to-door to encourage families to send girls to school. He gave ₹ 21 lakh from his personal savings to set up a fund for the girls of drivers and peons in government offices just before becoming PM. So, it is reasonable that the party should send a message that it is serious about the safety and empowerment of women.”
While the BJP and the government spokespersons declined to give any comments on questions with respect to Akbar’s tenure in the government, textile minister Smriti Irani said, “The gentleman concerned would be in a better position to speak on the issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues, but I think it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement, not for me.”
MJ Akbar has not issued any statement on allegations of sexual harassment against him but it is not prudent for him to continue as the MoS. He should immediately resign from his post.