Women activists say 'not surprised' by Akbar's decision to move court

Some women activists Monday termed as not surprising Union minister M J Akbar's decision to move court against a journalist who has accused him of sexual harassment, saying he was "not the first man to not accept his mistakes" and won't be the last.

Earlier in the day, Akbar filed a private criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani who recently levelled charges of sexual misconduct against him as the #MeToo campaign raged in India.

Women's rights activist Vani Subramanian told PTI she is not surprised by Akbar moving court as "such people tend to react in this way when their power and entitlement is challenged".

"He is not the first man to not accept his mistake and unfortunately he wouldn't be the last man to not admit his mistakes," she said.

Kavita Krishnan, the secretary of All India Progressive Women's Association, said Akbar retaining his position as a Union minister is a "slap" on the face of all women not only by him but also by the government.

"Akbar remaining a minister and intimidating victims with defamation cases is a slap on the face of all women - not by Akbar alone but by the Modi government too. This is Modi's version of (US President Donald) Trump's move to confirm Michael Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court, mocking women who accused him of assault," she said.

Ranjana Kumari, the director of the Centre for Social Research, said that as an individual, Akbar has every right to move court but the case is not between him and a journalist but "14 other media persons" have accused him.

"He is in a position of power and he can influence people," Kumari alleged.

The Minister of State of External Affairs Sunday rejected the allegations as "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against the accusers.

Chhavi Methi, another women rights activist, said Akbar should get a fair chance to put forward his point but at the same time "we should respect women and not take them for granted".