Journalist organisations seek MJ Akbar’s resignation

Eastern Mirror Desk

Dimapur, Oct. 15: Several Journalist organisations on Monday expressed “deep disappointment” over the way Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has threatened those who accused him of sexual harassment with legal action and said that he should resign to pave way for an impartial probe into the matter.

The veteran journalist-turned-politician is under scanner after around a dozen women alleged that he had misbehaved with them while he was heading prominent newspapers. However, he denied the allegation and filed a criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani at Delhi’s Patiala House court on October 15.

Journalist organisations — Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association, and South Asian Women in Media — had earlier released a joint statement expressing concern over the “overwhelming complaints of sexual harassment in the media” and asked Akbar to step down for fair probe.

“In the interests of a fair probe, moral and public propriety, it would only be appropriate that the minister step down from his post till such time as the inquiry is completed. We are disappointed that Mr. Akbar did not choose to take this step instead of threatening the complainants with legal action,” the journalist organisations said in a statement.

It demanded an impartial probe into all the complaints without fear of threat or intimidation to the complainants.

It also expressed hope that “employers in media organisations and the government will look into this with the seriousness it deserves and not treat the incidents as motivated complaints.”

Meanwhile, Akbar has lodged a complaint against Ramani under Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that she has wilfully, deliberately, intentionally and maliciously defamed him with fabricated allegation and harmed his reputation.

Ramani to fight with truth as her defence

Ramani said that she would fight for justice thought Akbar was trying to silence them through intimidation.

“I’m ready to fight allegations of defamation laid against me, as truth and the absolute truth as my only defence,” said the journalist in a statement after Akbar, whom she accused of sexually harassment, filed a criminal defamation case against her.

“I am deeply disappointed that a union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy. By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me, Mr Akbar has made his stand clear rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment,” she added.

She said that it is disingenuous to ask why they opened up after year because of the stigma and shame that sexual crimes inflict upon victims, and that the incidents occurred when the complainant women were working for him (Akbar). She also said that those who have spoken up against the union minster had done with great risk to both their personal and professional lives.

She concluded by saying that “rather than cast aspersions on the intent and motives of these women, we must reflect on how to improve the workplace for future generations of men and women.”