New Delhi | Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Wednesday resigned from his post two days after filing a defamation suit against Journalist Priya Ramani over the #MeToo allegations.
In an issued statement MJ Akbar wrote,” I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity. I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levied against me also in personal capacity submitting his resignation. Akbar further stated,” I have therefore tender my resignation from the office of Minister of state for external affairs.” He thanked the PM Modi and External affairs Min Sushma Swaraj for giving him an opportunity to serve the country.
#MJAkbar resigns from his post of Minister of State External Affairs MEA. pic.twitter.com/dxf4EtFl5P
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
MJ Akbar on 15 October filed a defamation case against Journalist Priya Ramani who accused him of sexual harassment. Former Journalist MJ Akbar was accused of sexual harassment by various female journalists in the ongoing #MeToo campaign during his tenure as Editor of various newspapers. Journalist Priya Ramani had alleged that Akbar during his tenure as an Editor of a newspaper made her feel uncomfortable and harassed her in a hotel room.
After Ramani’s allegations various female journalists including Prerna Singh Bindra, Ghazala Wahab, Shutapa Paul, Anju Bharti, Suparna Sharma, Shuma Raha, Malini Bhupta, Kanika Gahlout, Kadambari M Wade, Majlie de Puy Kamp and Ruth David spoke against Akbar.
Earlier after returning from Nigeria, MJ Akbar termed the accusations false and baseless. Speaking to media agency ANI, the former Journalist said, “Accusations without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections.” He further added, “Whatever be the case, now that I have returned, my lawyers will look into these wild and baseless allegations in order to decide our future course of legal action.”
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