As soon as minister MJ Akbar arrived in New Delhi, he again sparked a controversy when he said, “there will be a statement later on” to the reporters outside the Indira Gandhi airport.
Earlier, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi announced that her ministry will be setting up a four-member committee to examine all #MeToo cases. Akbar was in Nigeria when his name came up.
ALSO READ: #MeToo: Smriti Irani breaks silence on MJ Akbar; says ‘he would be in a…
Sources in the BJP admit that the charges against him are serious and his berth on the cabinet can no longer be guaranteed. A final call on the matter will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they told news agency PTI.
#WATCH Delhi:Union Minister MJ Akbar returns to India amid accusations of sexual harassment against him, says, “there will be a statement later on.” pic.twitter.com/ozI0ARBSz4
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018
On Thursday, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani said, “Anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, victimised or mocked”. On being asked about Akbar, she said, “I think that it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement, not for me as I was not present there”.
ALSO READ: Minister and former editor, MJ Akbar accused of sexual harassment
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale was more direct. “MJ Akbar should resign if charges are proven true,” he said. Several political parties such as the Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen have demanded Mr Akbar’s removal as minister.
Journalist and author Ghazala Wahab’s article in The Wire, in the string of allegations against the junior minister in Sushma Swaraj’s ministry. The latest allegations are that of a US based journalist who accused the minister.