#MeToo: MJ Akbar's defamation-case against journalist to be heard today
What's the story
A Delhi court on Thursday will hear the defamation case filed by former MoS External Affairs MJ Akbar, against journalist Priya Ramani. Ramani was the first journalist to take Akbar's name after the #MeToo storm hit Indian media. Before he resigned from his position on Wednesday, Akbar had filed a suit against Ramani saying the intention was to malign his reputation.
Defamation suit
After Ramani says #MeToo, AKbar takes the legal route
In the defamation suit, Akbar, a former editor, said, Ramani intentionally put 'forward malicious, fabricated and salacious' allegations. Replying to his legal route, Ramani said she was ready to fight everything and that truth is her only defense. In an article, she wrote Akbar called her to his hotel room. After she re-shared the article, many women spoke up to highlight Akbar's behavior.
Women speak up
Akbar's problematic behavior was known, many spoke after years
The list of alleged victims of Akbar's harassment only grew longer by the day. Women who worked under the former celebrated journalist in different capacities said everyone knew about his behavior. Ghazala Wahab wrote his behavior prompted her to quit the job, Tushita Paul revealed he kissed her forcefully, Majlie de Puy Kamp told he forced his tongue into her mouth when she was interning.
Resignation
After holding office despite sexual-harassment charges, Akbar finally resigned
When the allegations surfaced, Akbar was in Nigeria on a diplomatic visit and it was speculated he would resign. But he didn't and the outrage grew louder. On Wednesday, Akbar said in a statement he will battle the accusations in his personal capacity and it is only appropriate that he stepped down from the cabinet. He thanked EAM Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity.
Twitter Post
What Akbar said while resigning
#MJAkbar resigns from his post of Minister of State External Affairs MEA. pic.twitter.com/dxf4EtFl5P
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Support
Meanwhile, journalists step up to support Ramani in fight
On Tuesday, as many as 17 journalists, who worked with the Asian Age wrote to a Delhi court urging it to accept their testimonies. In the letter, the journalists wrote Ramani wasn't alone. "We would request the honorable court hearing the defamation case to also consider testimonies of sexual harassment of some of us at the hands of the petitioner," the letter read.