New Delhi: Union minister M J Akbar Monday filed a private criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani who recently levelled charges of sexual misconduct against him as the #MeToo campaign raged in India.
The Minister of State for External Affairs has accused Ramani of “wilfully, deliberately, intentionally and malaciously” defaming him and has sought her prosecution under the penal provision on defamation.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said Monday that Akbar has “given his stand” on the sexual harassment allegations against him. “MJ Akbar has spoken yesterday itself. He has given his stand and he is going for a legal course of action”, he said responding to questions on the issue at a press conference here.
Akbar, Minister of State of External Affairs, had Sunday rejected the allegations as “false, fabricated and deeply distressing” and said he was taking appropriate legal action against the accusers after charges were levelled against him as part of the #MeToo movement.
Nada said that as far as the women empowerment was concerned, it was the NDA government that had a Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister, who are women.
“This is the example (of) how we look at the role of women in the governance. That’s how Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks towards the governance issue as far as women empowerment is concerned,” he added. (PTI)
