On a day when the Centre remained undecided about the fate of Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar, accused of sexual harassment by several woman journalists, Smriti Irani became the first Minister to address the issue publicly.
In a statement, she said: “Women don’t go to work to be harassed. They go to work to live a dream and earn a respectable living. I am hopeful that all these ladies who are speaking out get justice... The gentleman concerned [Mr. Akbar] would be better positioned to speak on this issue. Anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, victimised or mocked.”
RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabele echoed her call for justice for the victims.
Mr. Hosabele tweeted that he “liked” a statement of Facebook public policy director for India Ankhi Das that over and above the #Metoo movement, there was a need to “support the women journalists who have narrated their victimisation. You needn’t even be a woman. You just need to have a sensibility of what is right and what is wrong.”
Mr. Akbar is scheduled to reach New Delhi on Sunday, after completing his trip to Africa. Earlier, there were rumours he would return earlier as a result of accusations of sexual harassment.
Ms. Irani and Mr. Hosable’s statements came despite BJP sources saying that party spokespersons had been asked not to comment on the issue at all.
The Congress, which had demanded Mr. Akbar’s resignation on Wednesday, said it would have a more “detailed response soon.”
Party president Rahul Gandhi, when asked to respond, said, “This is a press conference on Rafale. #MeToo issue is a very big issue and I will comment on that issue at a further press conference. I will give my detailed view.”
No hasty move
With at least two Ministers telling The Hindu that the government would not act in haste, it appeared that it would take a view after some deliberation.
“The incidents that have been put forward happened when Mr. Akbar was in the media, not in the party or the government. He will be asked for an explanation and a call will be taken then,” said a senior Union Minister.
