Congress questions PM Modi’s silence over MJ Akbar

New Delhi | The Congress Party on Sunday attacked the Union government especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on the sexual harassment allegations on its minister MJ Akbar.

Addressing a press conference Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma said that PM Modi’s silence on the allegation on MJ Akbar is “conspicuous and unacceptable”. He further added that if he (Narendra Modi) kept quiet right now, the women of the country would lose respect for him.

“It is for the Prime Minister to speak on this issue. Let the country judge its PM by his actions. So far his silence is conspicuous. This question is not only the moral authority of the government, but his own also, and the dignity of the office he holds,” said the former Union Minister.

Earlier Minister of state for External affairs, MJ Akbar termed the accusations false and baseless. Speaking to media agency ANI, the former Journalist said, “Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections.” He further added that “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.”

Questioning the timing of these allegations, MJ Akbar said its an attempt to damage his reputation and goodwill. He said,” Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is there an agenda? You be the judge. These false, baseless and wild allegations have caused irreparable damage to my reputation and goodwill.”

Minister of State of External Affairs MJ Akbar was accused of sexual harassment various women journalist in the ongoing #MeToo campaign during his tenure as Editor of various newspapers. Opposition parties cornered the Union government demanding Akbar’s resignation