Corporate India and the BJP owe an apology to every Indian woman now that a serving minister has also been called out in the #MeToo movement.

The person in question is M.J. Akbar, a well-known journalist now serving as the Minister of State for External Affairs in the Modi government.

As per media reports, Akbar has been accused of sexual misconduct at the workplace by at least 10 women. The attacks range from physical assaults to emotional harassment. They are said to have taken place during a span of 20 years while he was a top editor. 

10 women in 20 years!! This is disgusting and shameful.

If that is not the definition of sexual predator, then what is!

And while these women call him out, M.J. Akbar was busy touring Nigeria as the Government of India’s representative - that too on taxpayers’ money!

This is unacceptable! As a citizen and taxpayer, I do not want such individuals accused of predatory behaviour to be sitting in my Parliament and representing my country in any forum.

I would like to know how many more such attacks before the BJP expels M.J. Akbar and makes an example out of him?

Sign my petition asking the BJP’s National President Amit Shah to expel M.J. Akbar from the party for life.

To be fair, M.J Akbar has been notorious long before he joined the BJP. As Priya Ramani, a journalist formerly with India Today, The Indian Express and Mint, one of the first survivors has stated out, "May I point out the obvious to people who are politicising #metoo ? MJ Akbar was a sexual predator when he was in the Congress. And he’s still a sexual predator when he is in the BJP.  He’s been at it since the 1980s."

If the Congress had turned a blind eye to M.J. Akbar's misconduct while he was a member, then this is the BJP's chance to prove that it is truly different from the Congress by immediately sacking M.J. Akbar and barring him from the party for life.

If the BJP doesn't sack Akbar, then it will prove that it is no different from the Congress and merely pays lip-service to the ideals of women's safety, dignity and empowerment.

It is a matter of shame for India when individuals accused of such disgusting offences are allowed to continue in public office. This not only reflects on us as a democracy but is extremely disrespectful to lakhs of working women. We shouldn’t have to suffer such injustices as we work hard to earn our bread and butter with dignity.

If no action is taken against a Minister (even while investigations are pending), it will send out a dangerous message to other sick-minded individuals. Letting M.J.Akbar continue as a BJP Member and a Minister is as good as saying it is ok to be a sexual predator.

This business-as-usual approach to sexual harassment has to stop. I want the most powerful and influential party - the BJP to lead the way.

Sign my petition.

#ExpelMJAkbar

More details:

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/me-too-9-sexual-harassment-survivors-speak-against-minister-mj-akbar-89765

Photo credit: The News Minute