#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar quits over sexual harassment charges, PM Modi accepts resignation

Modi has accepted resignation of Minister of State For External Affairs MJ Akbar, NDTV reported quoting sources.

Akbar, a former journalist, has been accused of sexual harassment by several women in recent times.

The allegations were levelled against him at a time when the country is blown by the storm of #MeToo movement as several women shared their stories related to sexual misconduct by powerful men.

Akbar said he deemed it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levied against him.

"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 accusations levied against me, also in a personal capacity," the junior external affairs minister said in a statement.

A journalist named Priya Ramani was first among them to raise her voice directly against the Union Minister.

After Akbar resigned, the journalist tweeted: "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."

On Oct 8, Ramani had posted: "I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. #ulti https://www.vogue.in/content/harvey-weinsteins-open-letter-sexual-harassment/amp/#click=https://t.co/A2uHiJt9zd …"

On Monday, Akbar filed a defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani.

Another former colleague Ghazala Wahab also brought serious allegations of sexual harassment against Akbar.

Akbar, who returned to India on Sunday from an official trip, denied all allegations and called them 'false and fabricated'.

"The allegations of misconduct made against me are false and fabricated, spiced up by innuendo and malice. I could not reply earlier as I was on an official tour abroad. Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections," Akbar said in a statement.

Questioning the timing of the allegations, 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."

Akbar is a former journalist. He was editor of prominent newspapers like The Telegraph and later The Asian Age.