Troubles mount for Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar, at the centre of a raging controversy over numerous allegations of sexual harassment, including by his former colleagues, with the Congress on Wednesday demanding his resignation and an inquiry into his conduct.
“M.J. Akbar should either offer a satisfactory explanation or resign forthwith,” said senior Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy.
“How can he be in the ministry after the serious allegations that have been levelled by responsible journalists who have worked with him?,” Reddy asked. The Congress, he said, also demands an inquiry into the charges levelled via-a-vis Akbar's conduct, even as he did acknowledge his stature as a veteran journalist and his ministerial position.
Reddy was critical of Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for her silence on the allegations levelled against Akbar. He said Swaraj's silence was guilty on two counts—firstly, evading responsibility on the question of a probe into the charges, and secondly, for not commenting on her own subordinate.
The veteran leader said that if Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was recently appointed as the US Supreme Court judge, can be asked for an explanation, why not Akbar, who allegedly did whatever he did much later in life than Kavanaugh.
As allegations against Akbar are tumbling out fast and furious as part of the #Metoo movement, speculation is rife on whether it will continue to be tenable for him to continue as a minister in the Union government. The BJP has maintained complete silence on the issue, and it is learnt that the party has asked its spokespersons to not comment on the allegations against Akbar. Swaraj, too, had on Tuesday ducked questions on whether there will be any probe into the charges levelled against the veteran journalist-turned-politician or if any action will be taken against him.
While not naming Akbar, Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, told a news channel in response to queries on the allegations against Akbar, “There should be an investigation. Men in position of power often do this. This applies to media, politics and seniors working in companies. Now that women have started speaking out, we should take it seriously.”
