#MeToo: PM Modi’s silence over MJ Akbar unacceptable, says Congress

The Congress party on Sunday once again questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the allegations of sexual harassment against Union Minister of State for External Minister MJ Akbar.

The party also called Modi’s silence was ‘conspicuous and unacceptable’. As the social media campaign #MeToo has gained momentum in India over the last fortnight. There are several journalists have also come forward and accused MJ Akbar of sexual harassment when he served as an editor at different media organisation before joining the politics.

Following MJ Akbar’s statement threatening to take legal action against all the accusers. The Congress party conducted a press conference at the party office. A senior party leader Anand Sharma raised a question over Modi’s silence on the heated topic of the country. He also said, as the head of the government he should speak on this issue.

“It is for the prime minister to speak on this issue, let the country judge its PM by his actions. So far his silence is conspicuous. This question is not only the moral authority of the government, but his own also, and the dignity of the office he holds,” Sharma said.

Sharma claimed that prime minister who swears by Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and always talks about women’s dignity has now chosen to be silent on #MeToo. “His silence is unacceptable. It is the head of the government who should make his views known on the issue,” Sharma added.

MJ Akbar who returned today from Nigeria said he would take a legal action. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had earlier come out in support of the #MeToo movement, saying it was time for the truth to be told “loud and clear”.

Also read: #MeToo: MJ Akbar dismisses sexual harassment charges, threatens legal action