People with perverted minds started MeToo: BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan has triggered a new controversy by claiming that the MeToo movement was started by the people with perverted minds.

"This is the result of the activities of some people with perverted minds. This corrupts the purity of our land. This issue corrupts the honour of our women. This is not a good thing," the Union Minister of State for Shipping and Finance said.

He made the comments in response to a query by reporters on the MeToo movement late on Wednesday at Karur district where he inaugurated a health and wellness centre under the National Health Protection Scheme. His comments came after Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar resigned following several women accused him of sexual harassment during his media career.

Noting that the 'MeToo' movement had sullied the image of the country and women, he wondered 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?" he said.