Pon Radhakrishnan: #MeToo was started by people with perverted minds

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan made a rather controversial statement and said that the #MeToo movement was started by “people with perverted minds”. The remarks by the BJP minister were made in response to questions by reporters amid #MeToo movement in the country.

PTI quoted him saying, “If someone makes an allegation that such a thing happened…..when the incident happened we were playing together while in class 5….Would it be fair?” Radhakrishnan, Union Minister of State for Shipping and Finance said. “This (MeToo movement) is the result of the behaviour of some people who have perverted minds.”

Radhakrishnan said that he wonders if it would be right for men to start “making similar accusations like them”. “That will be such a big insult….Will it be acceptable?”

The #MeToo movement has gathered momentum over the past few days as several women have come out with stories about harassment and sexual abuse at workplace.

Journalist-turned-politician MJ Akbar had to step down as Union Minister of State for External Affairs amid a flurry of sexual harassment allegations against him. Several other celebrities including actors Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, author Chetan Bhagat, senior journalist Vinod Dua are among the few who have been called out by their alleged victims.

Also read: #MeToo: Editors Guild asks MJ Akbar to withdraw case against journalist Priya Ramani