#MeToo: Female journalists take swipe as MJ Akbar resigns

Hours after Union Minister for State MJ Akbar stepped down from his post, series of tweets followed on the social networking website. Amongst the one which garnered most attention, was of ace journalist Saba Naqvi who referred Akbar as demon slayed by Devi Durga on MahaAshtami.

Taking a swipe at the resignation of MJ Akbar, Naqvi in her shortly quoted tweet, “On #MahaAshtami Devi Durga slays the demon… #MJAkbar gone….”

On #MahaAshtami Devi Durga slays the demon…#MJAkbar gone….

— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) October 17, 2018

Following her tweet, there were other renowned female journalists who took the opportunity to express their opinion on the micro-blogging website. Journalist Priya Ramani in her tweet mentioned that she is just waiting for the day to get justice. She tweeted, “As women we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation. I look forward to the day when I will also get justice in court #metoo.“

As women we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation.
I look forward to the day when I will also get justice in court #metoo

— Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 17, 2018

Even Barkha Dutt congratulated the 20 journalists for their bravery and stated that she will stand with her fellow friends in the legal battle. She wrote, “Finally !!! It took two weeks and the bravery of nearly 20 women for #MJAkbar to quit. More power to women’s rage, our right to work without harassment, our right to equality and our right to be. @priyaramani thank you & we remain with you in your legal battle. #MeToo”

Finally !!! It took two weeks and the bravery of nearly 20 women for #MJAkbar to quit. More power to women’s rage, our right to work without harassment, our right to equality and our right to be. @priyaramani thank you & we remain with you in your legal battle. #MeToo https://t.co/F9D7oIeiIL

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) October 17, 2018

Known for her fierce take on issues of importance, Rana Ayyub wrote a short and crisp message. Quoting  an ANI tweet, she wrote, “Finally. Take a bow women !”

Finally. Take a bow women ! https://t.co/FqW9PNxLVN

— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) October 17, 2018

Suhasini Haider, pointed out the delay in action and stated, “Exactly. PMO intervention could have come anytime in 10 days, and it didn’t. Timing is more obviously linked to growing seriousness of allegations with each passing day, and final blow came from the long list of former colleagues willing to testify against MJ Akbar.”

Exactly. PMO intervention could have come anytime in 10 days, and it didn’t. Timing is more obviously linked to growing seriousness of allegations with each passing day, and final blow came from the long list of former colleagues willing to testify against MJ Akbar. https://t.co/ll9uEXyQgL

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) October 17, 2018

Last but not the least was former Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao, who expressed her happiness on the resignation of the Akbar. She tweeted, “So glad that Minister MJ Akbar has resigned his post. His continuation was untenable and indefensible. A big shoutout to all the brave women journalists who called him out for his alleged, sickening and exploitative behaviour towards them. #Metoo #LetTheWomenBeHeard”

So glad that Minister MJ Akbar has resigned his post. His continuation was untenable and indefensible. A big shoutout to all the brave women journalists who called him out for his alleged, sickening and exploitative behaviour towards them. #Metoo #LetTheWomenBeHeard

— Nirupama Menon Rao (@NMenonRao) October 17, 2018

It is to be known that stepped down on Wednesday from the crucial post of Union Minister of State for External Affairs in the wake of multiple sexual harassment allegations against him. Earlier on Sunday, MJ Akbar denied all allegations. He, then on Monday, filed a defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani for accusing him of sexual harassment in the Patiala House Court. A team of 7 lawyers of Karanjawala & Co is going to defend Akbar in a Delhi court where he has filed a defamation case against Ramani.

So far, as many as 15 women journalists have made allegations of sexual harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar. Priya Ramani was the first to expose MJ Akbar without taking his name as the ‘unnamed editor’. She accused him of inappropriate behaviour and had written about it in an article in Vogue India in October 2017.

ALSO READ: #MeToo: MJ Akbar steps down just prior to the start of trial