Journalist Priya Ramani has issued a strong statement on Monday, hours after union minister MJ Akbar filed a defamation suit against her.
Akbar filed the criminal defamation suit in Delhi’s Patiala Court via his through his advocates Karanjawala & Co.
On Sunday, soon after returning to India after a Nigeria trip, Akbar had termed the sexual abuse allegations as “false, fabricated and deeply distressing”. In fact, on Sunday itself, he had said that was taking appropriate legal action against his women accusers. He had also hinted at a political conspiracy behind the charges.
In response, Ramani said that she would ‘fight allegations of defamation laid against me, as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence.’
“The past two weeks have seen an upheaval, with several women from different professions, including journalists, making serious allegations of sexual harassment at the workplace and instances of sexual misconduct against various editors, writers, film-makers and others.
“These testimonies have emerged as a consequence of a slow but increasing empowerment of women over the years and a #MeToo movement unfolding across social media in India and across the world.
“In the case of Mr MJ Akbar, at the time these incidents occurred, the complainant women were working for him. Those who have spoken up against Mr Akbar have done so at great risk to their personal and professional lives.
At this moment, it is disingenuous to ask why they have spoken now, as we are well aware of the stigma and shame that sexual crimes inflict upon victims. Rather than cast aspersions on the intent and motives of these women, we must reflect on how to improve the workplace for future generations of men and women.
“This is why I wish to register my strong protest against Mr Akbar's most recent statement. which pays no heed to the trauma and fear of survivors or the courage required to speak truth to power.
“I am deeply disappointed that a union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy. By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me ,Mr Akbar has made his stand clear rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him , he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment.
“Needless to say, I am ready to fight allegations of defamation laid against me, as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence.”
Earlier, Akbar claimed that the allegations of misconduct made against him were 'false' and fabricated'
“(They are) spiced up by innuendo and malice. I could not reply earlier as I was on an official tour abroad.”
Calling the accusations without evidence “viral fever” among some sections, Akbar said he will initiate legal action against those who have levelled allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against him.
“Whatever be the case, now that I have returned, my lawyers will look into these wild and baseless allegations in order to decide our future course of legal action.”
There have been mounting demands for his removal from the Union council of ministers after multiple women, as part of the #MeToo movement in India, came out with accounts of alleged sexual harassment by the 67-year-old Akbar when he was a journalist.
“Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is there an agenda? You be the judge,” he said.
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 "Priya Ramani and MJ Akbar")
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