New Delhi sources stated that women journalists who leveled allegations of sexual harassment and molestation against former editor M.J. Akbar on Wednesday expressed their happiness over his stepping down as the Minister of State for External Affairs. Meanwhile journalists Priya Ramani, who was the first to go public with her accusation against the former editor and is, facing a defamation suit filed by Akbar, said she was “vindicated”.
Ramani tweeted “As women, we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation and she looks forward to the day when she will also get justice in court”. Moreover over a dozen journalists have accused Akbar of sexual harassment and molestation. He filed a defamation suit against Ramani alleging that “scandalous allegations” have been made to bring down his image in society. Accordingly journalist Suparna Sharma who had accused Akbar of having “plucked my bra strap”, said the fight was not over with his resignation.
Moreover Akbar should have resigned immediately after returning to India instead of issuing a statement said Sharma referring to Akbar’s Sunday statement where he had rubbished all the allegations and questioned the motive behind them. Further she said insisting the former minister should withdraw the defamation case against Ramani.
