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Indian minister quits following claims of sexual harassment
India’s growing #MeToo movement shook the highest levels of government on Wednesday when a high-profile minister was forced to resign in the wake of sexual harassment allegations.
Over the past two weeks, more than 16 women journalists have publicly accused MJ Akbar, the minister of state for external affairs, of predatory workplace behaviour when he was a powerful newspaper editor. Claims have included forcibly kissing employees and interns, and instances where he interviewed job candidates in hotel rooms at night.
Mr Akbar, who stepped down on Wednesday, has denied wrongdoing, calling the accounts “false and fabricated” and suggesting that he is a victim of a political conspiracy linked to India’s upcoming general election. He also filed a criminal defamation suit against journalist Priya Ramani, the first of his former employees to publicly accuse him of misconduct. Ms Ramani has also publicly urged other former colleagues to come forward to share their own claims.
“It’s a spectacular moment where women have spoken out against a very powerful individual and he has resigned,” Madhu Mehra, executive director of Partners for Law in Development, a women’s rights organisation said.
Mr Akbar’s resignation appears to be a rare instance of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi capitulating to public pressure, and indicates Mr Modi’s concern that the case could undermine his efforts to portray himself as a champion of women’s empowerment in a sensitive election year.
Mr Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party had lately faced mounting criticism for appearing to stand by Mr Akbar, even as more detailed allegations emerged. Earlier this week, an editorial in the The Hindu newspaper questioned why Mr Modi had allowed the minister to continue in office, given the weight of the allegations against him
“By failing to immediately force him to step down, Mr Modi has sent an unfortunate message about his government’s attitude to harassment and the protection of women in the workspace,” the newspaper said.
Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that Mr Akbar’s downfall was likely to embolden more women to call out other members of India’s political class, adding a new unpredictable twist to an already volatile election season.
“There is a lot of gloating right now from the Congress and the opposition but that gloating is going to be shortlived,” said Mr Vaishnav. “There are a lot of skeletons in the cupboard across political parties. These stories are going to proliferate and they are not going to be restricted to the ruling party.”
Mr Akbar’s departure comes a day before an Indian court is due to start the proceedings in the criminal defamation case against Ms Ramani, who could face up to two years in prison if she is convicted. Critics say Mr Akbar’s legal tactics are an attempt to intimidate others that has backfired — instead prompting fresh claims of misconduct.
“Since 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 accusation levied against me also in a personal capacity,” Mr Akbar said in a statement on Wednesday.
Ms Ramani welcomed Mr Akbar’s departure from high office. “As women, we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation. I look forward to the day when I will also get justice in court. #metoo,” Ms Ramani tweeted after the news broke.
India’s former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao also expressed relief at the minister’s exit. “His continuation was untenable and indefensible,” she tweeted. “A big shout-out to all the brave women journalists who called him out for his alleged, sickening and exploitative behaviour towards them.”