The Left parties Wednesday said Union minister M J Akbar's resignation was a victory for the #MeToo movement and the protests carried out by them against the journalist-turned-politician.
"I think the Modi government was compelled to ask M J Akbar to resign from the Union ministry as the #MeToo movement gained momentum in the country. He should have resigned on the first day when his former colleagues made sexual harassment allegations against him," CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy said.
Slamming Akbar for the delay in tendering his resignation, he said, "It is too late".
CPI Secretary D Raja said, "The resignation can be called a moral victory for all those women who have suffered such sexual harassment".
He said the social atmosphere in the country was such that women can get the confidence to speak up against the sexual harassment faced by them.
The Left leader said the government should have acted earlier as it suffered the wrath of such women across the country.
Reddy said around 18 woman journalists levelled sexual harassment allegations against Akbar, but the minister chose to take legal action against those who accused him.
"It was a mater of shame," he said.
All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) general secretary Mariam Dhawale termed Akbar's resignation as a victory of women bodies which carried out the relentless agitation for the junior MEA minister's resignation.
"It is victory of the protests initiated by us and other woman bodies. The Modi government was compelled to ask the junior MEA minister to step down. We welcome the development. But an enquiry against Akbar and other offenders of sexual harassment should be initiated," she said.
Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar stepped down Wednesday in the face of mounting pressure following a spate of allegations of sexual harassment against him by several women journalists, who welcomed his resignation as a "vindication".
The 67-year-old politician's sudden announcement to quit came through a brief statement in which he said he has decided to seek justice in a court of law in his personal capacity.
"I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levied against me, also in a personal capacity. I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of MoS for external affairs. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country," Akbar said.
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