Will fight case in personal capacity, says Akbar; activists hail resignation

NEW DELHI: Some of the women journalists who had spoken out against Union minister MJ Akbar for alleged sexual misconduct welcomed his resignation on Wednesday, saying they felt "vindicated", but noted that they had a long battle ahead for justice.

Akbar, the minister of state for external affairs, stepped down today + after multiple women accused him of sexually harassing them during his days as the editor of several publications.

Priya Ramani, the journalist against whom Akbar has filed a defamation case, said she looked forward to the day when she would also get justice in court.

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

— Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) 1539776311000

"As women, we feel vindicated by Akbar's resignation. I look forward to the day when I will also get justice in court," she said

Suparna Sharma, who also came out against Akbar, said she welcomed his resignation.

"It is a big moment for us. In a sense, I feel vindicated. Though the step should have been taken as soon as he landed in Delhi, but now, at least, there will not be a power imbalance and it will not be a fight between the government and Ramani," the resident editor of The Asian Age newspaper told PTI.

Meenal Baghel, who came out in support of Ramani, said Akbar's decision to quit was long overdue, while author Kiran Manral said they still had a long road ahead for justice.

"It was the right thing to do and we welcome it. It was long overdue," Baghel, editor of Mumbai Mirror, said in response to a question.

A very big thanks to everyone who backed each of us. #MJAkbar

— Meenal Baghel (@writemeenal) 1539775607000

"A very big thanks to everyone who backed each of us," she said in a tweet.

Former journalist Tushita Patel, who also came out against Akbar, said he should drop the defamation case against Ramani.

"In the light of everything that has come out, he should drop the criminal defamation case against Ramani immediately," she told PTI.

Journalists from multiple media platforms have come forward claiming harassment by Akbar under the "#MeToo" social media campaign against sexual misconduct.
Akbar was in Africa when the allegations surfaced against him.
'PM Modi accepts Akbar's resignation'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the resignation of M J Akbar from the council of ministers, official sources said.
According to the established procedure, the resignation will now be sent to President Ram Nath Kovind.

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