#MeToo breakthrough: M J Akbar steps down as Union minister

M J Akbar stepped down as junior external affairs minister on Wednesday, the proverbial centre of India's darkening #MeToo storm and the first high-profile head to roll in the movement that has banded diverse women against the spectrum of sexual misconduct ending in rape.

The 67-year-old journalist-politician's resignation as minister of state for external affairs comes a day ahead of the hearing of his criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani at Delhi's Patiala House court.

Akbar, who was in Nigeria when the allegations against him surfaced, said he would continue to fight the case in a personal capacity.

"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. I have, therefore, tendered my resignation...," he said.

Akbar is perhaps the first minister to resign following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

His resignation is also being seen as the biggest victory of the cathartic #MeToo movement, which started with a trickle in Bollywood with Tanushree Dutta's accusations against actor Nana Patekar in the last week of September and opened the floodgates with women 'outing' directors, journalists, actors and others on social media.

Akbar's intensely debated move comes after more than 16 women journalists spoke out over the last 10 days to narrate their experiences of alleged sexual harassment and molestation during his years as the celebrated editor of several publications.

According to sources, there was a view in the government that the minister should fight the case in his personal capacity and not as a Union minister.

Ramani, who was the first to call him out by name for his allegedly predatory behaviour, said on Twitter, "As women, we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar's resignation. I look forward to the day when I will also get justice. #MeToo."
Malik denied the claim as "ridiculous" and told PTI, "I don't want to talk about it. Today anyone says anything."