Las Vegas police have asked soccer star <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-i-wont-lie-im-a-happy-man-says-ronaldo-on-kathryn-mayorga-claims-ahead-of-manchester-united-clash-172936">Cristiano Ronaldo to submit a DNA sample </a>as part of their investigation into accusations of rape made against the Juventus forward.

Ronaldo's lawyer<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/real-madrid-says-it-will-sue-over-ronaldo-rape-saga-report-171115">, Peter Christiansen, played down the significance</a> of the warrant sent to authorities in Italy, telling AFP in a statement on Thursday it was standard procedure.

"Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in Las Vegas in 2009 was consensual in nature, so it is not surprising that DNA would be present, nor that the police would make this very standard request as part of their investigation," the statement said.

A former American model, Kathryn Mayorga, 34, of Las Vegas, accused Ronaldo in a complaint filed last year in Nevada of raping her on June 13, 2009 just before he joined Real Madrid from Manchester United.

Ronaldo, 33, has vehemently denied the allegations and has been backed by his current club.&nbsp;

Mayorga alleges that the sportsman raped her at a Las Vegas hotel and she was reportedly paid $375,000 to keep quiet.

Ronaldo's lawyers have said that the non-disclosure agreement signed with the former model is "by no means a confession of guilt."

Mayorga's attorney has previously said that the model agreed to an out-of-court settlement to keep her name from going public but was inspired to speak out by the #MeToo movement.

She met Ronaldo at a Vegas nightclub, according to her complaint, and accompanied him and other people to his hotel suite where the alleged attack took place.

Mayorga's attorney could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.

Las Vegas police have asked soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo to submit a DNA sample as part of their investigation into accusations of rape made against the Juventus forward.

Las Vegas police have asked soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo to submit a DNA sample as part of their investigation into accusations of rape made against the Juventus forward. Ronaldo's lawyer, Peter Christiansen, played down the significance of the warrant sent to authorities in Italy, telling AFP in a statement on Thursday it was standard procedure. "Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in Las Vegas in 2009 was consensual in nature, so it is not surprising that DNA would be present, nor that the police would make this very standard request as part of their investigation," the statement said. A former American model, Kathryn Mayorga, 34, of Las Vegas, accused Ronaldo in a complaint filed last year in Nevada of raping her on June 13, 2009 just before he joined Real Madrid from Manchester United. Ronaldo, 33, has vehemently denied the allegations and has been backed by his current club. Mayorga alleges that the sportsman raped her at a Las Vegas hotel and she was reportedly paid $375,000 to keep quiet. Ronaldo's lawyers have said that the non-disclosure agreement signed with the former model is "by no means a confession of guilt." Mayorga's attorney has previously said that the model agreed to an out-of-court settlement to keep her name from going public but was inspired to speak out by the #MeToo movement. She met Ronaldo at a Vegas nightclub, according to her complaint, and accompanied him and other people to his hotel suite where the alleged attack took place. Mayorga's attorney could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.

US police asks Cristiano Ronaldo to submit DNA sample in rape case

This year has majorly been about #MeToo gaining momentum in Bollywood as more number of women have come out in the open with their personal stories of horror. As this was discussed at the recently held actresses’ roundtable, actress Rani Mukerji was trolled on the social media for her ‘regressive’ thoughts on how women and men need to behave in the society.&nbsp;

The actresses’ roundtable saw the coming together of the leading ladies of 2018 who were a part of incredible cinema-like Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Taapsee Pannu, Tabu and Rani Mukerji. A similar thing among them all is that they were a part of cinema that is forward-looking with roles meant for them.&nbsp;

While in the discussion, the topic of #MeToo also came up which drew varied responses from all. Anushka led the front as she spoke about how important this was and the need for onus on the men and how the workplace should be as safe as their own home. She said, "There should be a little sense of fear. Your workplace has to be the second sacred place for you. After your home, your workplace is the place where you should feel the safest and if you're not feeling that way then that's the worst world to be living in.”

To this Rani said, "I think as a woman you have to be that powerful within yourself, you have to believe that you're so powerful that if you ever come into a situation like that you have the courage to say 'back off.' I think you have to have the courage to be able to protect yourself."&nbsp;

Countering her statement, Deepika said, "I don't think everyone is constructed with that sort of DNA."&nbsp;

Rani further said that martial arts and self-defence should be made compulsory in schools, adding that "you have to take the responsibility of your own self."

Deepika looked visibly unhappy with the statement and added: "But why to even bring it to the point where girls should learn self-defence.” The other girls, mostly Anushka Sharma agreed to this.&nbsp;

However, Rani wasn't convinced and later added, "You can’t tell mothers how to bring up their children."&nbsp;

Many social media users called Rani’s statement as “ignorant” and pointed at her privileged background.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have so many thoughts on this discussion, all about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaniMukerji?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaniMukerji</a> and her pov of simply putting the responsibility on the MOTHER vs. the grown men that actually perpetuate the crime. This very notion of women should be a certain way is the very same reason why this shit happens. <a href="https://t.co/FGNqNgy79c">https://t.co/FGNqNgy79c</a>
— Nilam K. Patel (@nilamkpatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/nilamkpatel/status/1079518262621286402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rani Mukherjee's views on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeToo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeToo</a> are so bloody problematic! 
Please ask her how a 4 month old baby girl is gonna kick her rapist between his legs?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActressesRoundtable?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ActressesRoundtable</a>
— Dishti (@dish_teaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/dish_teaa/status/1079413353422954498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ok. So you can't tell hundreds of mothers that they shouldn't bring up misogynistic sons but you want to tell millions of girls out there to compulsorily learn martial arts and defend themselves? This is nothing but victim shaming and blaming. 
Shame on you, Rani Mukerji! <a href="https://t.co/cfvn74fzPM">https://t.co/cfvn74fzPM</a>
— Sumeet Kaur (@Sumeetkaur102) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sumeetkaur102/status/1079351515352088577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

This year has majorly been about #MeToo gaining momentum in Bollywood as more number of women have come out in the open with their personal stories of horror. As this was discussed at the recently held actresses’ roundtable, actress Rani Mukerji was trolled on the social media for her ‘regressive’ thoughts on how women and men need to behave in the society.

This year has majorly been about #MeToo gaining momentum in Bollywood as more number of women have come out in the open with their personal stories of horror. As this was discussed at the recently held actresses’ roundtable, actress Rani Mukerji was trolled on the social media for her ‘regressive’ thoughts on how women and men need to behave in the society. The actresses’ roundtable saw the coming together of the leading ladies of 2018 who were a part of incredible cinema-like Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Taapsee Pannu, Tabu and Rani Mukerji. A similar thing among them all is that they were a part of cinema that is forward-looking with roles meant for them. While in the discussion, the topic of #MeToo also came up which drew varied responses from all. Anushka led the front as she spoke about how important this was and the need for onus on the men and how the workplace should be as safe as their own home. She said, "There should be a little sense of fear. Your workplace has to be the second sacred place for you. After your home, your workplace is the place where you should feel the safest and if you're not feeling that way then that's the worst world to be living in.” To this Rani said, "I think as a woman you have to be that powerful within yourself, you have to believe that you're so powerful that if you ever come into a situation like that you have the courage to say 'back off.' I think you have to have the courage to be able to protect yourself." Countering her statement, Deepika said, "I don't think everyone is constructed with that sort of DNA." Rani further said that martial arts and self-defence should be made compulsory in schools, adding that "you have to take the responsibility of your own self." Deepika looked visibly unhappy with the statement and added: "But why to even bring it to the point where girls should learn self-defence.” The other girls, mostly Anushka Sharma agreed to this. However, Rani wasn't convinced and later added, "You can’t tell mothers how to bring up their children." Many social media users called Rani’s statement as “ignorant” and pointed at her privileged background. I have so many thoughts on this discussion, all about #RaniMukerji and her pov of simply putting the responsibility on the MOTHER vs. the grown men that actually perpetuate the crime. This very notion of women should be a certain way is the very same reason why this shit happens. https://t.co/FGNqNgy79c — Nilam K. Patel (@nilamkpatel) December 30, 2018 × Rani Mukherjee's views on #MeToo are so bloody problematic! Please ask her how a 4 month old baby girl is gonna kick her rapist between his legs?? #ActressesRoundtable — Dishti (@dish_teaa) December 30, 2018 × Ok. So you can't tell hundreds of mothers that they shouldn't bring up misogynistic sons but you want to tell millions of girls out there to compulsorily learn martial arts and defend themselves? This is nothing but victim shaming and blaming. Shame on you, Rani Mukerji! https://t.co/cfvn74fzPM — Sumeet Kaur (@Sumeetkaur102) December 30, 2018 ×

Social media slams Rani Mukerji on her views on #MeToo as Deepika, Anushka, Alia get together

It’s true after all! Columnist-socialite Suhel Seth has gotten married to model Lakshmi Menon in a private ceremony held at his house in Gurugram. Reported by Mumbai Mirror, this comes after Suhel has been accused of sexual misconduct when a flood of stories came out during Bollywood’s own #MeToo movement.&nbsp;

The two got engaged earlier this month and headed to Goa for a post-engagement holiday. They then went to Switzerland to continue their romantic vacation.&nbsp;

As for the wedding, it apparently happened on December 25, 2018, and was attended by the couple’s family and friends.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Suhel has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women, namely model Diandra Soares, filmmaker Natasha Rathore and writer Ira Trivedi. Talking about Suhel, Diana had earlier said, "I was dancing on a couch and out of nowhere Suhel Seth shoves his f*****g tongue down my mouth. I immediately bit his tongue and bit it really really hard with all my might and anger.”

Natasha shared, "You then threw yourself at me although I was clearly uncomfortable. You shoved your tongue down my throat even when I resisted -- I whacked your head and said 'behave yourself'. You put your hand into my kurta and grabbed my breast."

#MeToo came to Bollywood late but it dug up many skeletons that were buried deep in the closets.&nbsp;

It’s true after all! Columnist-socialite Suhel Seth has gotten married to model Lakshmi Menon in a private ceremony held at his house in Gurugram. Reported by Mumbai Mirror, this comes after Suhel has been accused of sexual misconduct when a flood of stories came out during Bollywood’s own #MeToo movement.

It’s true after all! Columnist-socialite Suhel Seth has gotten married to model Lakshmi Menon in a private ceremony held at his house in Gurugram. Reported by Mumbai Mirror, this comes after Suhel has been accused of sexual misconduct when a flood of stories came out during Bollywood’s own #MeToo movement. The two got engaged earlier this month and headed to Goa for a post-engagement holiday. They then went to Switzerland to continue their romantic vacation. As for the wedding, it apparently happened on December 25, 2018, and was attended by the couple’s family and friends. Meanwhile, Suhel has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women, namely model Diandra Soares, filmmaker Natasha Rathore and writer Ira Trivedi. Talking about Suhel, Diana had earlier said, "I was dancing on a couch and out of nowhere Suhel Seth shoves his f*****g tongue down my mouth. I immediately bit his tongue and bit it really really hard with all my might and anger.” Natasha shared, "You then threw yourself at me although I was clearly uncomfortable. You shoved your tongue down my throat even when I resisted -- I whacked your head and said 'behave yourself'. You put your hand into my kurta and grabbed my breast." #MeToo came to Bollywood late but it dug up many skeletons that were buried deep in the closets.

Suhel Seth ties the knot with model Laksmi Menon amid sexual assualt charges

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri was Wednesday cleared of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/coa-of-bcci-asks-rahul-johri-to-submit-explanation-over-sexual-harassment-allegations-171301">sexual harassment allegations</a> by the Committee of Administrators' three-member probe panel, which dismissed the charges levelled by at least two women as "mischievous and fabricated".

Johri was on forced leave for the past three weeks but can now resume office even though one member of the probe committee recommended "gender sensitivity counselling" for him.&nbsp;

The two-member CoA was divided on the issue. While Chairman Vinod Rai approved of Johri joining back, Diana Edulji demanded his resignation on the basis of some recommendations, including counselling.&nbsp;

"The allegations of sexual harassment in the office or else where are false, baseless and have been fabricated and manufactured with an ulterior motive to harm Mr. Rahul Johri...," head of the probe committee Justice (Retd) Rakesh Sharma stated in his findings.

The three-member probe panel also comprised former Delhi Commission of Women chairperson Barkha Singh and lawyer-activist Veena Gowda. Gowda recommended counselling for Johri owing to his "inappropriate behaviour" with one of the complainants during the Champions Trophy in Birmingham.

She, however, maintained there was no case of sexual harassment against Johri.

The committee, which was formed on October 25, was given 15 days to complete the probe by the CoA. Its report would also be submitted to the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

CoA member Diana Edulji didn't want the report to be published on Wednesday and demanded that she be given at least a few days to study it.

However, CoA chief Vinod Rai opened the report in the presence of the panel members as well as BCCI's legal team during the day.

Edulji was against the formation of the panel and wanted Johri to be sacked on the basis of the allegations while Rai felt that "principles of natural justice" demanded an investigation before any action.&nbsp;

The first allegations against Johri was an anonymous e-mail accusing him of sexual misconduct, shared by a twitter handle, which later deleted the post. The accuser claimed to be an ex-colleague of Johri at a previous job.

There were subsequently two more allegations, one from a Singapore-based media professional and another woman, who worked with Johri in one of his previous organisations.

Both women deposed via Skype, along with BCCI's former Anti-Corruption Unit chief Neeraj Kumar, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, IPL petitioner Aditya Verma, and former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi.

There were also allegations against Johri about inappropriate behaviour with a female employee of the BCCI.

However, the employee in question didn't turn up for deposition as was widely speculated.

Johri was the last person to depose and it was spread over two days.&nbsp;

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri was Wednesday cleared of sexual harassment allegations by the Committee of Administrators' three-member probe panel, which dismissed the charges levelled by at least two women as "mischievous and fabricated".

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri was Wednesday cleared of sexual harassment allegations by the Committee of Administrators' three-member probe panel, which dismissed the charges levelled by at least two women as "mischievous and fabricated". Johri was on forced leave for the past three weeks but can now resume office even though one member of the probe committee recommended "gender sensitivity counselling" for him. The two-member CoA was divided on the issue. While Chairman Vinod Rai approved of Johri joining back, Diana Edulji demanded his resignation on the basis of some recommendations, including counselling. "The allegations of sexual harassment in the office or else where are false, baseless and have been fabricated and manufactured with an ulterior motive to harm Mr. Rahul Johri...," head of the probe committee Justice (Retd) Rakesh Sharma stated in his findings. The three-member probe panel also comprised former Delhi Commission of Women chairperson Barkha Singh and lawyer-activist Veena Gowda. Gowda recommended counselling for Johri owing to his "inappropriate behaviour" with one of the complainants during the Champions Trophy in Birmingham. She, however, maintained there was no case of sexual harassment against Johri. The committee, which was formed on October 25, was given 15 days to complete the probe by the CoA. Its report would also be submitted to the Supreme Court. CoA member Diana Edulji didn't want the report to be published on Wednesday and demanded that she be given at least a few days to study it. However, CoA chief Vinod Rai opened the report in the presence of the panel members as well as BCCI's legal team during the day. Edulji was against the formation of the panel and wanted Johri to be sacked on the basis of the allegations while Rai felt that "principles of natural justice" demanded an investigation before any action. The first allegations against Johri was an anonymous e-mail accusing him of sexual misconduct, shared by a twitter handle, which later deleted the post. The accuser claimed to be an ex-colleague of Johri at a previous job. There were subsequently two more allegations, one from a Singapore-based media professional and another woman, who worked with Johri in one of his previous organisations. Both women deposed via Skype, along with BCCI's former Anti-Corruption Unit chief Neeraj Kumar, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, IPL petitioner Aditya Verma, and former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi. There were also allegations against Johri about inappropriate behaviour with a female employee of the BCCI. However, the employee in question didn't turn up for deposition as was widely speculated. Johri was the last person to depose and it was spread over two days.

#MeToo: BCCI CEO Rahul Johri cleared of sexual harassment allegations

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterm-polls-republican-martha-mcsally-loses-arizona-senate-seat-176966">US midterm polls: Republican Martha McSally loses Arizona Senate seat</a>

In a hotly contested ballot, Sinema won by taking a slice of Republican voters including women. The Senate seat was vacated by Republican Jeff Flake, a Trump critic.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/there-will-never-be-another-stan-lee-tributes-pour-in-for-the-legend-behind-marvel-176968">'There will never be another Stan Lee'; tributes pour in for the legend behind Marvel</a>

The superheroes who were all created by Lee mourned his death. Actors like Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds- all paid their respect to Lee.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/natural-gas-to-overtake-coal-as-worlds-second-largest-energy-source-iea-176956">Natural gas to overtake coal as </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/natural-gas-to-overtake-coal-as-worlds-second-largest-energy-source-iea-176956">world's</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/natural-gas-to-overtake-coal-as-worlds-second-largest-energy-source-iea-176956"> second largest energy source: IEA</a>

The Paris-based IEA said in its World Energy Outlook 2018 that energy demand would grow by more than a quarter between 2017 and 2040 assuming more efficient use of energy - but would rise by twice that much without such improvements.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovic-backs-federer-in-preferential-treatment-row-176953">Djokovic backs Federer in preferential treatment row</a>

Benneteau was particularly referring to the Australian Open where he said 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer played "12 or 13" of his 14 matches at Melbourne in the past two years at night, so avoiding the often scorching temperatures.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-quality-reaches-hazardous-level-in-delhi-and-ncr-176971">Air quality reaches 'hazardous' level in Delhi's Anand Vihar</a>

The air quality in the national capital is presently in the 'hazardous' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the overall Air Quality Index was recorded at 449 at Anand Vihar this morning.

US midterm polls: Republican Martha McSally loses Arizona Senate seat In a hotly contested ballot, Sinema won by taking a slice of Republican voters including women.

US midterm polls: Republican Martha McSally loses Arizona Senate seat In a hotly contested ballot, Sinema won by taking a slice of Republican voters including women. The Senate seat was vacated by Republican Jeff Flake, a Trump critic. 'There will never be another Stan Lee'; tributes pour in for the legend behind Marvel The superheroes who were all created by Lee mourned his death. Actors like Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds- all paid their respect to Lee. Natural gas to overtake coal as world's second largest energy source: IEA The Paris-based IEA said in its World Energy Outlook 2018 that energy demand would grow by more than a quarter between 2017 and 2040 assuming more efficient use of energy - but would rise by twice that much without such improvements. Djokovic backs Federer in preferential treatment row Benneteau was particularly referring to the Australian Open where he said 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer played "12 or 13" of his 14 matches at Melbourne in the past two years at night, so avoiding the often scorching temperatures. Air quality reaches 'hazardous' level in Delhi's Anand Vihar The air quality in the national capital is presently in the 'hazardous' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the overall Air Quality Index was recorded at 449 at Anand Vihar this morning.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/retail-inflation-cools-down-to-331-in-october-from-370-in-september-176891">Retail inflation cools to 3.31% in October, was at 3.70% in September</a>

Retail inflation eased to 3.31 per cent in October from 3.70 per cent which was recorded in September, news agency ANI reported on Monday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901">Chhattisgarh elections: Voter turnout recorded at 70% </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901">as</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901"> 1st phase of polling ends</a>

Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today. Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-mj-akbar-a-thorough-gentleman-woman-journalist-says-in-court-176880">#MeToo: MJ Akbar 'a thorough gentleman', woman journalist says in court</a>

A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist".&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848">Nationalism behind </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848">spread</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848"> of fake news in India: BBC report</a>

People in India share fake news stories with nationalistic messages for "nation building" purposes without any attempt at fact-checking, a BBC report released Monday said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/im-suffocating-take-this-bag-off-my-head-jamal-khashoggis-last-words-176839">I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head: Jamal Khashoggi's last words</a>

A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic."&nbsp;

Retail inflation cools to 3.31% in October, was at 3.70% in September Retail inflation eased to 3.31 per cent in October from 3.70 per cent which was recorded in September, news agency ANI reported on Monday.

Retail inflation cools to 3.31% in October, was at 3.70% in September Retail inflation eased to 3.31 per cent in October from 3.70 per cent which was recorded in September, news agency ANI reported on Monday. Chhattisgarh elections: Voter turnout recorded at 70% as 1st phase of polling ends Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today. Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent. #MeToo: MJ Akbar 'a thorough gentleman', woman journalist says in court A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist". Nationalism behind spread of fake news in India: BBC report People in India share fake news stories with nationalistic messages for "nation building" purposes without any attempt at fact-checking, a BBC report released Monday said. I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head: Jamal Khashoggi's last words A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic."

If you ask a weaver at Avani what her favourite part of her job is, the answer will almost never be the weaving itself. Money is a common response, as there are the various results of having it: making home improvements, paying for a wedding, opening a savings account. More often than not, though, the answer will simply be along the lines of, “I like to spend time with the other weavers.” It’s surprising at first. In a field where organisations trumpet phrases like “economic empowerment” and “reviving traditional arts,” the fact that someone might like their work simply because it allows them to spend time with other people feels strikingly inadequate. Yet in the time I’ve worked with Avani’s women weavers, I have come to believe that this social interaction is perhaps the most important— and most overlooked—aspect of any livelihood generation program. &nbsp;

In development literature, the concept of “safe spaces” has generally been deployed within highly specific contexts: a refugee camp, for example, or a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Within these contexts, the term “safe space” becomes extremely literal: A space where women can safely gather, free from physical harm. In the words of UNFPA, a safe space is defined as, “A formal or informal place where women and girls feel physically and emotionally safe. The term ‘safe’, in the present context, refers to the absence of trauma, excessive stress, violence (or fear of violence), or abuse.”&nbsp;

But this is not the only definition of safe spaces. Seemingly on the opposite end of the spectrum, college campuses across the United States have touted the creation of “safe spaces” in order to protect certain groups from marginalisation or emotional/psychological harm. By this definition, a safe space is far less literal, referring more to an abstract “space” in which dialogue and learning are mediated and monitored. Here, “safe” has less to do with physical safety, and instead largely refers to the absence of emotional or psychological trauma. This definition has come under significant criticism recently, with some theorists pointing out that honest dialogue about social justice issues is rarely “safe,” in the abstract sense of the term. In the words of one group of scholars, “We argue that authentic learning about social justice often requires the very qualities of risk, difficulty, and controversy that are defined as incompatible with safety.”

On one hand, the women in Avani’s community aren’t in any immediate physical danger (or, at least not a danger that is readily apparent). Although domestic violence does occur, women in this community generally live without their husbands, as most men have migrated to urban centers in search of work. And while there are cases of crime and violence, the region is, compared to many other areas in India, relatively secure. On the other hand, the definition of safe spaces put forth in academia, and its accompanying critiques is strikingly inadequate in describing the very real physical, social, and emotional threats these women face, just by virtue of speaking their minds and daring to be independent.&nbsp;

How, then, do I describe the spaces Avani’s weavers have created for themselves? Shortcomings of either definition of safe spaces aside, the weaving centers, where Avani’s weavers gather every day, are unquestionably unlike anywhere else in these women’s lives. Each of Avani’s field centers is a social ecosystem unto itself: a vibrant hub of women who come together not just to weave, but also to sing their favorite songs, dance along to Bollywood videos they find on YouTube, trade stories of philandering husbands and misbehaving children, and discuss the news of the day. In a region where it is exceedingly rare to see women simply “hanging out” with each other in public spaces, this simple act of gathering feels radical and undeniably political. Indeed, the positive effects of being part of a supportive community of women seem to be an unintended, albeit wonderful, outcome of creating a women’s cooperative.&nbsp;

In women’s cooperatives, the term “safe space” takes on a new meaning, in between the formalised, rigid structures put forth by the United Nations and the more abstract, conceptual notions discussed on college campuses. The “space” these women have created is both literal and figurative: a secluded, women-only gathering space and a relational, dialogue-driven community. Defining safe spaces in this way illuminates what we already instinctively know to be true: that work can be more than just a way for people to put food on the table— it can be a source of community, support, inspiration, and empowerment. At their best, cooperatives like Avani can serve as a physical space for a community’s most marginalised members to let their guards down, be themselves, and step away from an outside world that forces them to take up less space than they deserve.&nbsp;

My proposition then, is to not simply accept that such communities will emerge on their own— even if they do— but rather, to intentionally pursue this space building as a goal in and of itself, on par in importance with increasing incomes. Generating incomes can be a powerful source of empowerment for women in Kumaon. But in my view, the social and political empowerment that comes with it, in the form of a vibrant, active community, is even more powerful in changing the lives of women in these underserved regions.&nbsp;

*A previous version of<a href="https://aif.org/when-work-becomes-home-safe-spaces-and-belonging-in-a-womens-cooperative/"> this article</a> was originally published&nbsp;by the American India Foundation.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

If you ask a weaver at Avani what her favourite part of her job is, the answer will almost never be the weaving itself. Money is a common response, as there are the various results of having it: making home improvements, paying for a wedding, opening a savings account.

If you ask a weaver at Avani what her favourite part of her job is, the answer will almost never be the weaving itself. Money is a common response, as there are the various results of having it: making home improvements, paying for a wedding, opening a savings account. More often than not, though, the answer will simply be along the lines of, “I like to spend time with the other weavers.” It’s surprising at first. In a field where organisations trumpet phrases like “economic empowerment” and “reviving traditional arts,” the fact that someone might like their work simply because it allows them to spend time with other people feels strikingly inadequate. Yet in the time I’ve worked with Avani’s women weavers, I have come to believe that this social interaction is perhaps the most important— and most overlooked—aspect of any livelihood generation program. In development literature, the concept of “safe spaces” has generally been deployed within highly specific contexts: a refugee camp, for example, or a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Within these contexts, the term “safe space” becomes extremely literal: A space where women can safely gather, free from physical harm. In the words of UNFPA, a safe space is defined as, “A formal or informal place where women and girls feel physically and emotionally safe. The term ‘safe’, in the present context, refers to the absence of trauma, excessive stress, violence (or fear of violence), or abuse.” But this is not the only definition of safe spaces. Seemingly on the opposite end of the spectrum, college campuses across the United States have touted the creation of “safe spaces” in order to protect certain groups from marginalisation or emotional/psychological harm. By this definition, a safe space is far less literal, referring more to an abstract “space” in which dialogue and learning are mediated and monitored. Here, “safe” has less to do with physical safety, and instead largely refers to the absence of emotional or psychological trauma. This definition has come under significant criticism recently, with some theorists pointing out that honest dialogue about social justice issues is rarely “safe,” in the abstract sense of the term. In the words of one group of scholars, “We argue that authentic learning about social justice often requires the very qualities of risk, difficulty, and controversy that are defined as incompatible with safety.” On one hand, the women in Avani’s community aren’t in any immediate physical danger (or, at least not a danger that is readily apparent). Although domestic violence does occur, women in this community generally live without their husbands, as most men have migrated to urban centers in search of work. And while there are cases of crime and violence, the region is, compared to many other areas in India, relatively secure. On the other hand, the definition of safe spaces put forth in academia, and its accompanying critiques is strikingly inadequate in describing the very real physical, social, and emotional threats these women face, just by virtue of speaking their minds and daring to be independent. How, then, do I describe the spaces Avani’s weavers have created for themselves? Shortcomings of either definition of safe spaces aside, the weaving centers, where Avani’s weavers gather every day, are unquestionably unlike anywhere else in these women’s lives. Each of Avani’s field centers is a social ecosystem unto itself: a vibrant hub of women who come together not just to weave, but also to sing their favorite songs, dance along to Bollywood videos they find on YouTube, trade stories of philandering husbands and misbehaving children, and discuss the news of the day. In a region where it is exceedingly rare to see women simply “hanging out” with each other in public spaces, this simple act of gathering feels radical and undeniably political. Indeed, the positive effects of being part of a supportive community of women seem to be an unintended, albeit wonderful, outcome of creating a women’s cooperative. In women’s cooperatives, the term “safe space” takes on a new meaning, in between the formalised, rigid structures put forth by the United Nations and the more abstract, conceptual notions discussed on college campuses. The “space” these women have created is both literal and figurative: a secluded, women-only gathering space and a relational, dialogue-driven community. Defining safe spaces in this way illuminates what we already instinctively know to be true: that work can be more than just a way for people to put food on the table— it can be a source of community, support, inspiration, and empowerment. At their best, cooperatives like Avani can serve as a physical space for a community’s most marginalised members to let their guards down, be themselves, and step away from an outside world that forces them to take up less space than they deserve. My proposition then, is to not simply accept that such communities will emerge on their own— even if they do— but rather, to intentionally pursue this space building as a goal in and of itself, on par in importance with increasing incomes. Generating incomes can be a powerful source of empowerment for women in Kumaon. But in my view, the social and political empowerment that comes with it, in the form of a vibrant, active community, is even more powerful in changing the lives of women in these underserved regions. *A previous version of this article was originally published by the American India Foundation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Blog: Safe spaces and belonging in a women's cooperative

A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist".&nbsp;

Joyeeta Basu, the editor of the Sunday Guardian, said she had worked with Akbar for 20 years and had not heard anything "untoward" from the staff of the organisation where they worked together.&nbsp;

Akbar is a founder editor of the Sunday Guardian.&nbsp;

He <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mj-akbar-resigns-as-minister-of-state-for-external-affairs-171938">resigned</a> as India's minister of state for external affairs after a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-women-demand-hearing-of-their-testimonies-against-mj-akbar-171959">multitude of women accused him of sexual misconduct, harassment, assault and rape</a>.&nbsp;

Akbar has sued the journalist Priya Ramani for criminal defamation — the case the court was hearing on Monday — saying she was the first one to name him.&nbsp;

Interestingly, Ramani herself had not accused Akbar of harassment, assault, or rape. She had written an article in Vogue magazine in October 2017 about her first job interview with Akbar which he conducted in a Mumbai hotel room.&nbsp;

Ramani did not name Akbar in the article.&nbsp;

She named him after she reposted the article on Twitter in October this year.&nbsp;This was after the actor Tanushree Dutta kicked of India's own #MeToo movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ulti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ulti</a> <a href="https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7">https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7</a>
— Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1049279608263245824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The accusations against Akbar tumbled out of the&nbsp;closet after that.&nbsp;

Akbar has not sued any of the women who have actually accused him of harassment, assault, or rape.&nbsp;

"I have seen tweets by Priya Ramani dated October 10, 2018 and October 13, 2018. I have overcome my doubts but I know from the number of questions raised by people, I know personally that his reputation has been destroyed and damaged irreparably," Basu told the court on Monday.&nbsp;

"After reading these tweets by Ramani, I believe that this vilification was conducted and the tweets were published intentionally by Ramani with a purpose to harm Akbar's good reputation and goodwill in the eyes of society," she added. &nbsp;

"I have always held Mr Akbar in high regard. He has been perfectly professional in his dealings with me. He has always been a tough taskmaster, a thorough professional and a brilliant teacher," Basu said.

She added that she considered Akbar to be "a brilliant journalist, a scholarly writer and a thorough gentleman with an impeccable reputation".&nbsp;

Basu said that she was "shocked, disappointed, embarrassed" to see Ramani's tweets against Akbar and "in spite of my experience with him, his image, his reputation took a beating in my eyes on reading these tweet/article".

"It was aggravated during my interaction with friends and colleagues who had read and heard about the widely publicised tweets and articles and asked me whether he was really like that? They questioned his character and said that his image has taken a severe beating and had been lowered in their eyes. They said that his reputation had been permanently damaged as far as they were concerned," she added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist". Joyeeta Basu, the editor of the Sunday Guardian, said she had worked with Akbar for 20 years and had not heard anything "untoward" from the staff of the organisation where they worked together.

A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist". Joyeeta Basu, the editor of the Sunday Guardian, said she had worked with Akbar for 20 years and had not heard anything "untoward" from the staff of the organisation where they worked together. Akbar is a founder editor of the Sunday Guardian. He resigned as India's minister of state for external affairs after a multitude of women accused him of sexual misconduct, harassment, assault and rape. Akbar has sued the journalist Priya Ramani for criminal defamation — the case the court was hearing on Monday — saying she was the first one to name him. Interestingly, Ramani herself had not accused Akbar of harassment, assault, or rape. She had written an article in Vogue magazine in October 2017 about her first job interview with Akbar which he conducted in a Mumbai hotel room. Ramani did not name Akbar in the article. She named him after she reposted the article on Twitter in October this year. This was after the actor Tanushree Dutta kicked of India's own #MeToo movement. I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. #ulti https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7 — Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 8, 2018 × The accusations against Akbar tumbled out of the closet after that. Akbar has not sued any of the women who have actually accused him of harassment, assault, or rape. "I have seen tweets by Priya Ramani dated October 10, 2018 and October 13, 2018. I have overcome my doubts but I know from the number of questions raised by people, I know personally that his reputation has been destroyed and damaged irreparably," Basu told the court on Monday. "After reading these tweets by Ramani, I believe that this vilification was conducted and the tweets were published intentionally by Ramani with a purpose to harm Akbar's good reputation and goodwill in the eyes of society," she added. "I have always held Mr Akbar in high regard. He has been perfectly professional in his dealings with me. He has always been a tough taskmaster, a thorough professional and a brilliant teacher," Basu said. She added that she considered Akbar to be "a brilliant journalist, a scholarly writer and a thorough gentleman with an impeccable reputation". Basu said that she was "shocked, disappointed, embarrassed" to see Ramani's tweets against Akbar and "in spite of my experience with him, his image, his reputation took a beating in my eyes on reading these tweet/article". "It was aggravated during my interaction with friends and colleagues who had read and heard about the widely publicised tweets and articles and asked me whether he was really like that? They questioned his character and said that his image has taken a severe beating and had been lowered in their eyes. They said that his reputation had been permanently damaged as far as they were concerned," she added. (With inputs from PTI)

#MeToo: MJ Akbar 'a thorough gentleman', woman journalist says in court

The BJP has removed Uttarakhand General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accused him of sexual harassment.&nbsp;

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BJP removes its Uttarakhand General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accuses him of sexual harassment. <a href="https://t.co/LXfmb1iHhC">pic.twitter.com/LXfmb1iHhC</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1058973025545134080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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News reports Sunday said the party was reportedly worried about its image after the accusation surfaced.&nbsp;

The reports said a meeting was held, where it was decided that it would be best if Kumar was let go of. The reports added that the decision was taken in Delhi.&nbsp;

Kumar was summoned to Delhi and sacked there.&nbsp;

Protests had reportedly broken out after Kumar was accused of harassment.&nbsp;

The BJP has removed Uttarakhand General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accused him of sexual harassment. BJP removes its Uttarakhand General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accuses him of sexual harassment.

The BJP has removed Uttarakhand General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accused him of sexual harassment. BJP removes its Uttarakhand General Secretary Sanjay Kumar from his post after a woman party worker accuses him of sexual harassment. pic.twitter.com/LXfmb1iHhC — ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2018 × News reports Sunday said the party was reportedly worried about its image after the accusation surfaced. The reports said a meeting was held, where it was decided that it would be best if Kumar was let go of. The reports added that the decision was taken in Delhi. Kumar was summoned to Delhi and sacked there. Protests had reportedly broken out after Kumar was accused of harassment.

#MeToo: BJP removes Uttarakhand General Secretary from post after he is accused of sexual harassment

US-based journalist, who had recently levelled allegations against former union minister MJ Akbar, released a statement on Friday responding to<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/m-j-akbar-denies-rape-allegations-by-us-journalist-wife-defends-him-175097"> Akbar's claims</a>&nbsp;that he was in&nbsp;a consensual relationship with her.

In a tweet posted on Friday, she&nbsp;said, "Rather than taking responsibility for his abuse of me and his serial predation of other young women who have courageously come forward. MJ Akbar has insisted—just like other infamous serial sexual abuser of women—that the relationship was consensual".

"It was not. A relationship that is based on coercion, and abuse of power, is not consensual. I stand by every word in my published account", she added.

Former Union minister&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-women-demand-hearing-of-their-testimonies-against-mj-akbar-171959">M J Akbar&nbsp;</a>on Friday denied allegations of rape levelled against him by a US-based journalist. Speaking to news agency ANI, Akbar said that the two were in a consensual relationship which perhaps didn't end on a "best note".

"Somewhere around 1994, she and I entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months. This relationship gave rise to talk and would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on the best note," Akbar said.

"Several people who worked with me and knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to testify and that at no stage did her behaviour give any one of them impression that she was working under duress," he added.

The US-based journalist, in a newspaper article, narrated her side in detail and described the incident of rape and various others incidents of sexual assault 23 years ago.

Akbar's wife Mallika Joseph too is standing by her husband. "I have been silent all this while as a 'MeToo' campaign has been unleashed against my husband, Mr MJ Akbar. However, article by journalist alleging that she was raped by him forces me to step in with what I know to be true," she has said in her statement.

"The journalist was often at our home, happily drinking and dining with us. Neither carried the haunted look of victims of sexual assault. I don't know her reasons for telling this lie but a lie it is," said Joseph.

"At a party at our home, crowded with young journalists, I have watched with mortification and pain as they danced close. I had confronted my husband at the time and he decided to prioritise his family," she added.

Akbar, who was the Minister of State for External Affairs at the Centre,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mj-akbar-resigns-as-minister-of-state-for-external-affairs-171938">resigned last month&nbsp;</a>after as many as 16 women journalists accused him of sexual assault and harassment when he was a newspaper editor.

US-based journalist, who had recently levelled allegations against former union minister MJ Akbar, released a statement on Friday responding to Akbar's claims that he was in a consensual relationship with her.

US-based journalist, who had recently levelled allegations against former union minister MJ Akbar, released a statement on Friday responding to Akbar's claims that he was in a consensual relationship with her. In a tweet posted on Friday, she said, "Rather than taking responsibility for his abuse of me and his serial predation of other young women who have courageously come forward. MJ Akbar has insisted—just like other infamous serial sexual abuser of women—that the relationship was consensual". "It was not. A relationship that is based on coercion, and abuse of power, is not consensual. I stand by every word in my published account", she added. Former Union minister M J Akbar on Friday denied allegations of rape levelled against him by a US-based journalist. Speaking to news agency ANI, Akbar said that the two were in a consensual relationship which perhaps didn't end on a "best note". "Somewhere around 1994, she and I entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months. This relationship gave rise to talk and would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on the best note," Akbar said. "Several people who worked with me and knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to testify and that at no stage did her behaviour give any one of them impression that she was working under duress," he added. The US-based journalist, in a newspaper article, narrated her side in detail and described the incident of rape and various others incidents of sexual assault 23 years ago. Akbar's wife Mallika Joseph too is standing by her husband. "I have been silent all this while as a 'MeToo' campaign has been unleashed against my husband, Mr MJ Akbar. However, article by journalist alleging that she was raped by him forces me to step in with what I know to be true," she has said in her statement. "The journalist was often at our home, happily drinking and dining with us. Neither carried the haunted look of victims of sexual assault. I don't know her reasons for telling this lie but a lie it is," said Joseph. "At a party at our home, crowded with young journalists, I have watched with mortification and pain as they danced close. I had confronted my husband at the time and he decided to prioritise his family," she added. Akbar, who was the Minister of State for External Affairs at the Centre, resigned last month after as many as 16 women journalists accused him of sexual assault and harassment when he was a newspaper editor.

Relationship based on coercion, abuse of power: US-based journalist to MJ Akbar

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/florida-man-charged-in-connection-with-14-bombs-sent-to-trump-critics-173730">US: Florida man charged with mailing 13 bombs to Trump critics</a>

A Florida fan of Donald Trump was arrested and charged Friday with mailing 13 bombs to opponents of the US president in a brazen, week-long spree that inflamed the country ahead of key elections.

Cesar Sayoc, 56, a registered Republican with a criminal history and reported past as a stripper, was born in New York and lived in a van covered in pro-Trump and anti-liberal stickers. He was arrested outside a Florida mall.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amid-political-tension-us-urges-sri-lankan-parties-to-follow-constitution-173736">Follow Constitution, US tells Sri Lanka after PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is sacked</a>

The United States urged political parties in Sri Lanka on Friday to abide by the Constitution and refrain from violence, as the latter country faces a constitutional crisis after its president ousted the prime minister.

Controversial Sri Lankan strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a dramatic political comeback on Friday, becoming the new prime minister after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who termed the move as "unconstitutional" and vowed to prove his majority in Parliament.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-shishir-hattangadi-ready-to-testify-against-bcci-ceo-rahul-johri-173748">#MeToo: Ex-Mumbai captain ready to testify against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri</a>

Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi has said he is ready to testify against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri who has accused of sexual misconduct.

In a tweet on Friday, Hattangadi said he would assist the BCCI in the Rahul Johri case. Hattangadi said he was exercising his responsibility as a former captain.

He also tweeted that individuals cannot be above the game.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bomb-stuff-slowing-republican-momentum-at-polls-trump-173741">'Bomb stuff' slowing Republican momentum at polls: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that news coverage of the pipe bombs targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had drowned out other stories and slowed Republican momentum ahead of congressional elections.

"Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-mattis-approves-request-to-send-army-to-mexico-border-173746">US Defence Secretary Mattis approves </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-mattis-approves-request-to-send-army-to-mexico-border-173746">request</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-mattis-approves-request-to-send-army-to-mexico-border-173746"> to send </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-mattis-approves-request-to-send-army-to-mexico-border-173746">army</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-mattis-approves-request-to-send-army-to-mexico-border-173746"> to Mexico border</a>

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort to slow illegal crossings in the run-up to key elections.

A Pentagon statement said the support would come in the form of logistical and engineering assistance, including the construction of "temporary barriers, barricades and fencing." 
 
&nbsp;

US: Florida man charged with mailing 13 bombs to Trump critics A Florida fan of Donald Trump was arrested and charged Friday with mailing 13 bombs to opponents of the US president in a brazen, week-long spree that inflamed the country ahead of key elections.

US: Florida man charged with mailing 13 bombs to Trump critics A Florida fan of Donald Trump was arrested and charged Friday with mailing 13 bombs to opponents of the US president in a brazen, week-long spree that inflamed the country ahead of key elections. Cesar Sayoc, 56, a registered Republican with a criminal history and reported past as a stripper, was born in New York and lived in a van covered in pro-Trump and anti-liberal stickers. He was arrested outside a Florida mall. Follow Constitution, US tells Sri Lanka after PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is sacked The United States urged political parties in Sri Lanka on Friday to abide by the Constitution and refrain from violence, as the latter country faces a constitutional crisis after its president ousted the prime minister. Controversial Sri Lankan strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa staged a dramatic political comeback on Friday, becoming the new prime minister after President Maithripala Sirisena sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who termed the move as "unconstitutional" and vowed to prove his majority in Parliament. #MeToo: Ex-Mumbai captain ready to testify against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi has said he is ready to testify against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri who has accused of sexual misconduct. In a tweet on Friday, Hattangadi said he would assist the BCCI in the Rahul Johri case. Hattangadi said he was exercising his responsibility as a former captain. He also tweeted that individuals cannot be above the game. 'Bomb stuff' slowing Republican momentum at polls: Trump US President Donald Trump said on Friday that news coverage of the pipe bombs targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had drowned out other stories and slowed Republican momentum ahead of congressional elections. "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote. US Defence Secretary Mattis approves request to send army to Mexico border Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort to slow illegal crossings in the run-up to key elections. A Pentagon statement said the support would come in the form of logistical and engineering assistance, including the construction of "temporary barriers, barricades and fencing."

Indian Film &amp; Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vikas-bahl-gets-a-showcause-notice-from-directors-association-his-license-may-get-terminated-170498">had issued a show cause notice against</a>&nbsp;Vikas Bahl post allegations imposed on him of sexual harassment.

IFTDA had asked the 'Udta Punjab' producer Vikas Bhal to respond within a week lest he loses his membership from the association.&nbsp; 
 
The director has responded to the notice and requested the association to not terminate his membership from IFTDA. 
 
The director also said that all those allegations that have been made against him are false and malicious. 
 
He has blamed his ex-'Phantom Films'&nbsp;partners -Anurag Kashyap and Vikram Motwane for defaming him for selfish reasons. He has also filed a defamatory case against them in the Bombay High Court.

Vikas Bahl was accused of sexual&nbsp;harassment by a former employee of 'Phantom Films' a&nbsp;couple of days ago.

Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) had issued a show cause notice against Vikas Bahl post allegations imposed on him of sexual harassment. IFTDA had asked the 'Udta Punjab' producer Vikas Bhal to respond within a week lest he loses his membership from the association.

Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) had issued a show cause notice against Vikas Bahl post allegations imposed on him of sexual harassment. IFTDA had asked the 'Udta Punjab' producer Vikas Bhal to respond within a week lest he loses his membership from the association. The director has responded to the notice and requested the association to not terminate his membership from IFTDA. The director also said that all those allegations that have been made against him are false and malicious. He has blamed his ex-'Phantom Films' partners -Anurag Kashyap and Vikram Motwane for defaming him for selfish reasons. He has also filed a defamatory case against them in the Bombay High Court. Vikas Bahl was accused of sexual harassment by a former employee of 'Phantom Films' a couple of days ago.

#MeToo: Vikas Bahl responds to the notice sent by IFTDA, denies allegations

MJ Akbar has resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs.&nbsp;

Akbar has been accused by as many as 16 women journalists of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

"Since I have decided to seek justice in &nbsp;a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusation levied against me, also in a personal capacity. I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of Minister of State for External Affairs," Akbar said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-this-storm-just-before-general-elections-mj-akbar-to-take-legal-action-over-sexual-assault-allegations-171421">Akbar alleges </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-this-storm-just-before-general-elections-mj-akbar-to-take-legal-action-over-sexual-assault-allegations-171421">political</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-this-storm-just-before-general-elections-mj-akbar-to-take-legal-action-over-sexual-assault-allegations-171421"> conspiracy, says he is not stepping down</a>

"I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and to the External Affairs Minsters Smt. Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country," he added.&nbsp;

Akbar returned to India from Nigeria, where he was leading a trade delegation, on Sunday. There had been no word from him till then, even as woman after woman came out with accusations of sexual assault and harassment against him.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-absolute-truth-is-my-only-defence-priya-ramani-after-mj-akbar-files-criminal-defamation-case-against-her-171599">'The absolute truth is my only defence,' says journalist Priya Ramani after Akbar files criminal defamation case against her</a>

On Sunday afternoon, Akbar said the allegations were a lie, a political conspiracy before the 2019 elections, that he would not be resigning, and that he would be seeking legal remedies.&nbsp;

On Monday, a sixteenth woman accused him of sexual assault, saying he had opened his hotel room door to her wearing only his underwear. The woman had been in her early 20's at the time. She had thought she was going to a job interview.&nbsp;

Last Friday, the US-based CNN journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp accused Akbar of molesting her when she was an 18-year-old intern at the Asian Age in Delhi. On her last day of work, she said, she had gone to say goodbye to him, and he had forcibly kissed her.&nbsp;

She said Akbar had inserted his tongue into her mouth.&nbsp;

She added that her parents, both of whom were foreign correspondents, had been friends with Akbar, which is how she had got her internship.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Akbar sued the journalist Priya Ramani for criminal defamation saying she had begun "this campaign (against him) a year ago" (see tweet below).&nbsp;

Ramani replied that Akbar was seeking "to silence them (his alleged victims) through intimidation and harassment", that "the absolute truth is my only defence", that she would not be cowed down, and that she would fight back.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, news reports said twenty women journalists had gone on record telling the court that it should listen to their testimonies too — that they had been sexually assaulted and harassed by Akbar.&nbsp;

MJ Akbar's complaint against&nbsp;journalist Priya Ramani will be heard tomorrow in the&nbsp;Patiala House Court by Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal.

MJ Akbar has resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs. Akbar has been accused by as many as 16 women journalists of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.

MJ Akbar has resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs. Akbar has been accused by as many as 16 women journalists of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor. "Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusation levied against me, also in a personal capacity. I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of Minister of State for External Affairs," Akbar said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. Also read: Akbar alleges political conspiracy, says he is not stepping down "I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and to the External Affairs Minsters Smt. Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country," he added. Akbar returned to India from Nigeria, where he was leading a trade delegation, on Sunday. There had been no word from him till then, even as woman after woman came out with accusations of sexual assault and harassment against him. Also read: 'The absolute truth is my only defence,' says journalist Priya Ramani after Akbar files criminal defamation case against her On Sunday afternoon, Akbar said the allegations were a lie, a political conspiracy before the 2019 elections, that he would not be resigning, and that he would be seeking legal remedies. On Monday, a sixteenth woman accused him of sexual assault, saying he had opened his hotel room door to her wearing only his underwear. The woman had been in her early 20's at the time. She had thought she was going to a job interview. Last Friday, the US-based CNN journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp accused Akbar of molesting her when she was an 18-year-old intern at the Asian Age in Delhi. On her last day of work, she said, she had gone to say goodbye to him, and he had forcibly kissed her. She said Akbar had inserted his tongue into her mouth. She added that her parents, both of whom were foreign correspondents, had been friends with Akbar, which is how she had got her internship. On Tuesday, Akbar sued the journalist Priya Ramani for criminal defamation saying she had begun "this campaign (against him) a year ago" (see tweet below). Ramani replied that Akbar was seeking "to silence them (his alleged victims) through intimidation and harassment", that "the absolute truth is my only defence", that she would not be cowed down, and that she would fight back. On Wednesday, news reports said twenty women journalists had gone on record telling the court that it should listen to their testimonies too — that they had been sexually assaulted and harassed by Akbar. MJ Akbar's complaint against journalist Priya Ramani will be heard tomorrow in the Patiala House Court by Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal.

#MeToo: MJ Akbar resigns after multiple allegations of sexual assault

There were 12 of us. All young women. We had stuffed ourselves into an already cramped room for a meal. Another young woman, maybe just shy of 18 years old, that I’d seen before, was absent. When asked where she was, a friend of mine looked up, and casually said, “She isn’t here because she was assaulted this past weekend.”&nbsp;

As the story goes, she was in her house alone and her male neighbour came over to “say hello.” When he realised no one was home, he tried to touch her, and force her to get intimate with him. My heart dropped and I didn’t know what turn this story was going to take.&nbsp;

But then I heard someone say - “But she’s been getting stronger and she’s a fighter". So she yelled and beat him with things she had nearby, and got him out of the house. And then she called her other neighbours, her parents, and the police.” Once they arrived, her parents were proud of her, and the community shunned the boy for what he did. The police arrested him, but he was soon released on bail.&nbsp;

It was sad in a way, that the first thought that was spoken amongst our group was something on most of our minds: “She got lucky.” She was lucky that she had a family who believed her, and a community behind her. When I thought that the conversation could not take any more turns, all of the young women that I had come to know, admire, and deeply respect, all launched into their own tales of abuse and assault.&nbsp;

But that moment couldn’t have come at a more poignant time – just the day before, I had learned a part of the reason my Fellowship host organisation, the Naz Foundation, had implemented its flagship programme for adolescent girls (“Goal”): they found that women, unaware of their own bodies and sexual health, were unknowingly contracting HIV from their supposedly monogamous husbands. Yet another form of abuse.&nbsp;

I’ve thought about that moment a lot in the past few months. About what it means to be a woman in this world, about what it means to be a woman in India. I had my stories to share, and when the time came I did, and it all seemed to come together. Our stories were ones of not being heard, of trying to raise empathetic boys in a world that seems dead set against it, and of empowering other women.&nbsp;

In our own small way, acknowledging the issues that we faced every day – from the US to India – we bridged a gap and made for better leaders in all of us. We can’t fix what we don’t verbalise. The bonds we formed, friendships we made, and bridges we built across cultures that day enabled us to advocate for women’s empowerment across the world.&nbsp;

In the United States, women’s empowerment is shouted from the rooftops. In its most visible form, it takes place in the form of marches around the country, in celebrity declaration in support of #MeToo. In India, I’ve found that paths to empowerment look different, and yet strangely familiar, from marches and protests to civil disobedience within the home to educate one’s children on how to live in a better world.&nbsp;

That day, I made 12 new, extraordinarily powerful, wonderful friends. Tragedy turned into a strategy. When I first arrived, I thought that there would be many things that I would encounter that I would never truly be able to understand. But I’ve come to realise that women’s empowerment, like all social issues and like all people, is the same across the world. It just comes in different packaging.&nbsp;

(*A <a href="https://aif.org/womens-empowerment-building-a-bridge/">previous version of this article</a> was originally published by the  American India Foundation)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

There were 12 of us. All young women. We had stuffed ourselves into an already cramped room for a meal. Another young woman, maybe just shy of 18 years old, that I’d seen before, was absent.

There were 12 of us. All young women. We had stuffed ourselves into an already cramped room for a meal. Another young woman, maybe just shy of 18 years old, that I’d seen before, was absent. When asked where she was, a friend of mine looked up, and casually said, “She isn’t here because she was assaulted this past weekend.” As the story goes, she was in her house alone and her male neighbour came over to “say hello.” When he realised no one was home, he tried to touch her, and force her to get intimate with him. My heart dropped and I didn’t know what turn this story was going to take. But then I heard someone say - “But she’s been getting stronger and she’s a fighter". So she yelled and beat him with things she had nearby, and got him out of the house. And then she called her other neighbours, her parents, and the police.” Once they arrived, her parents were proud of her, and the community shunned the boy for what he did. The police arrested him, but he was soon released on bail. It was sad in a way, that the first thought that was spoken amongst our group was something on most of our minds: “She got lucky.” She was lucky that she had a family who believed her, and a community behind her. When I thought that the conversation could not take any more turns, all of the young women that I had come to know, admire, and deeply respect, all launched into their own tales of abuse and assault. But that moment couldn’t have come at a more poignant time – just the day before, I had learned a part of the reason my Fellowship host organisation, the Naz Foundation, had implemented its flagship programme for adolescent girls (“Goal”): they found that women, unaware of their own bodies and sexual health, were unknowingly contracting HIV from their supposedly monogamous husbands. Yet another form of abuse. I’ve thought about that moment a lot in the past few months. About what it means to be a woman in this world, about what it means to be a woman in India. I had my stories to share, and when the time came I did, and it all seemed to come together. Our stories were ones of not being heard, of trying to raise empathetic boys in a world that seems dead set against it, and of empowering other women. In our own small way, acknowledging the issues that we faced every day – from the US to India – we bridged a gap and made for better leaders in all of us. We can’t fix what we don’t verbalise. The bonds we formed, friendships we made, and bridges we built across cultures that day enabled us to advocate for women’s empowerment across the world. In the United States, women’s empowerment is shouted from the rooftops. In its most visible form, it takes place in the form of marches around the country, in celebrity declaration in support of #MeToo. In India, I’ve found that paths to empowerment look different, and yet strangely familiar, from marches and protests to civil disobedience within the home to educate one’s children on how to live in a better world. That day, I made 12 new, extraordinarily powerful, wonderful friends. Tragedy turned into a strategy. When I first arrived, I thought that there would be many things that I would encounter that I would never truly be able to understand. But I’ve come to realise that women’s empowerment, like all social issues and like all people, is the same across the world. It just comes in different packaging. (*A previous version of this article was originally published by the  American India Foundation) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Blog: #MeToo movement is all about empowering women

#MeToo: MJ Akbar vows to fight back sexual assault allegations

#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar resigns after sexual assault allegations

Writer-producer Vinta Nanda on Wednesday lodged a complaint with police against actor Alok Nath, whom she accused of raping and sexually harassing her in the 90s.

This comes just days after Nath filed a civil defamation suit against Nanda.

Speaking to ANI outside the Oshiwara police station, Vinta said, "I have lodged a complaint, which has been accepted by the police. The officials have been really helpful and the process went easy and smooth.''

However, she said that it wasn't easy to recount the whole event which took place almost two decades ago. In the ongoing #MeToo movement, Vinta had accused Alok Nath of rape and narrated her horrifying ordeal in a Facebook post.

She was the writer and producer of TV serial 'Tara' in the 90s, in which Nath played a lead role.

In the wake of these allegations, the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) also issued a notice to the veteran actor, seeking his stand on the rape allegations made against him.&nbsp;

Writer-producer Vinta Nanda on Wednesday lodged a complaint with police against actor Alok Nath, whom she accused of raping and sexually harassing her in the 90s.

Writer-producer Vinta Nanda on Wednesday lodged a complaint with police against actor Alok Nath, whom she accused of raping and sexually harassing her in the 90s. This comes just days after Nath filed a civil defamation suit against Nanda. Speaking to ANI outside the Oshiwara police station, Vinta said, "I have lodged a complaint, which has been accepted by the police. The officials have been really helpful and the process went easy and smooth.'' However, she said that it wasn't easy to recount the whole event which took place almost two decades ago. In the ongoing #MeToo movement, Vinta had accused Alok Nath of rape and narrated her horrifying ordeal in a Facebook post. She was the writer and producer of TV serial 'Tara' in the 90s, in which Nath played a lead role. In the wake of these allegations, the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) also issued a notice to the veteran actor, seeking his stand on the rape allegations made against him.

#MeToo: Vinta Nanda files complaint against Alok Nath

In the swirling waters of the MeToo Movement that have reached India, the rules of engagement on conduct involving women and men are being rewritten in ways that would hopefully make the country a safer place for women. Only three months ago, a Reuters global poll based on a survey of experts said India was the "most dangerous" country for women and that did not go too well with the establishment.&nbsp;

Now that the US-born movement, where women take to social media to 'out' alleged perpetrators of sexual harassment, has become mainstream in India with many famous men turning notorious, it is time to see the writing on the wall.

There are many ifs and buts in this because India has changed very fast with the rise of education, awareness, democratic beliefs, economic growth and last but not least, the internet. The harsh reality is that only a few years ago, both men and women spoke in hushed whispers about the sexual escapades, shenanigans and exploitation of powerful people in politics, media and Bollywood, but possibly with different worldviews. 
 
While it is increasingly clear that most woman victims did not speak out of fear, concern for personal safety/jobs/careers or the helpless power structure they were dealing with, for many men, this seemed to be part of what was perceived to be normal in varying degrees of acceptability. That is changing. Today, there is a new normal. The trophies of yesterday have become the scars of today.&nbsp;

The combination of social media and long memories is proving to be embarrassing for many.

I&nbsp;am surprised but not shocked that Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, a journalistic icon for many of our generation including myself, is not resigning but combating accusations of sexual harassment or misdemeanour during his days as a rockstar newspaper editor. Surprised, because I thought there was sufficient circumstantial evidence from more than a dozen women to suggest that it was important for him to at least not hold on to a public office. Surprised because there is enough talk of clean public conduct from the BJP-led government to have included a concern for widespread public outrage.

However, on deeper introspection, there are reasons why the BJP may drag its feet -- or for that matter any political party. On the one hand, there are issues related to personal and public morality in which what happens in the personal sphere may not be uniformly or immediately brought into question in matters concerning public posts. On the other hand, and this is realpolitik, there is the issue of a precedent that might be set in a resignation.

The open secret is that there are men in every leading political party whose personal lives and conduct are dubious. If a politically dispensable minister is forced to resign on grounds of sexual misconduct, the day may not be far off when a woman or two or three will speak out against another whose political clout based on caste, popularity or other vote-catching abilities is significant. Now, which party would want to get rid of a vote-catcher? Every party will pay lip service or protest in differing degrees of outrage. The top leaders will murmur, one or two spokespersons will be more forthright, and some will talk in generalities.&nbsp;

It is also a harsh fact that there are social and economic realities in India that make men historically powerful, and that cannot be wished away. If even getting women to rule from panchayat posts is difficult, it is more difficult to imagine power equations to change overnight on matters of sexual misconduct.&nbsp;

As of now, there is no visibly significant outrage against sexual misconduct in the vast hinterland of India. Allegations against lyricist Vairamuthu in Tamil Nadu are just drops in the ocean of India's state politics. Only the naive would believe other states do not have widespread instances of alleged misconduct. South Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore are pockets of resistance -- or maybe they represent the vanguard of a revolution in the making. What they used to say in India vs Bharat argument -- about urban India flourishing while rural India is left behind -- can be stretched here. History, privilege, poverty, caste and gender have to be considered together to get an idea of the immensity of the issue. I recommend director Shyam Benegal's classic, Nishant as an educative movie on this subject.

Only time will tell us how the meeting of an irresistible force against an immovable object shapes up in precise terms, but my guess is that we are headed for reform, not revolution. Slowly but steadily, voices will spring up against misconduct even in the hinterland, inspired and egged on by women who have stood up to be counted. But in the immediate term, both workplaces and political culture will need a rebooting of attitudes and beliefs, and that is likely to happen in a measured pace. Even the best of men may have to learn a lot, as we are discovering from outpourings of feelings and experiences.

There is also the matter of jurisprudence in which legal technicalities will play out as court cases grind on because a presumption of innocence until there is proof of guilt, is normal in a healthy democracy. Everything from the dates of alleged misconduct, the precise law under which it needs to be examined, the demand for stay orders and the levels of the judiciary will matter in the scheme of things. 
 
If shaming public figures is a punishment, a lot has already happened. If better conduct across India in professional and public life matters, there is a long way to go.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/blogs/metoo-has-arrived-in-india-but-yet-to-reach-bharat-may-start-reform-not-revolution-2148826.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

In the swirling waters of the MeToo Movement that have reached India, the rules of engagement on conduct involving women and men are being rewritten in ways that would hopefully make the country a safer place for women.

In the swirling waters of the MeToo Movement that have reached India, the rules of engagement on conduct involving women and men are being rewritten in ways that would hopefully make the country a safer place for women. Only three months ago, a Reuters global poll based on a survey of experts said India was the "most dangerous" country for women and that did not go too well with the establishment. Now that the US-born movement, where women take to social media to 'out' alleged perpetrators of sexual harassment, has become mainstream in India with many famous men turning notorious, it is time to see the writing on the wall. There are many ifs and buts in this because India has changed very fast with the rise of education, awareness, democratic beliefs, economic growth and last but not least, the internet. The harsh reality is that only a few years ago, both men and women spoke in hushed whispers about the sexual escapades, shenanigans and exploitation of powerful people in politics, media and Bollywood, but possibly with different worldviews. While it is increasingly clear that most woman victims did not speak out of fear, concern for personal safety/jobs/careers or the helpless power structure they were dealing with, for many men, this seemed to be part of what was perceived to be normal in varying degrees of acceptability. That is changing. Today, there is a new normal. The trophies of yesterday have become the scars of today. The combination of social media and long memories is proving to be embarrassing for many. I am surprised but not shocked that Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, a journalistic icon for many of our generation including myself, is not resigning but combating accusations of sexual harassment or misdemeanour during his days as a rockstar newspaper editor. Surprised, because I thought there was sufficient circumstantial evidence from more than a dozen women to suggest that it was important for him to at least not hold on to a public office. Surprised because there is enough talk of clean public conduct from the BJP-led government to have included a concern for widespread public outrage. However, on deeper introspection, there are reasons why the BJP may drag its feet -- or for that matter any political party. On the one hand, there are issues related to personal and public morality in which what happens in the personal sphere may not be uniformly or immediately brought into question in matters concerning public posts. On the other hand, and this is realpolitik, there is the issue of a precedent that might be set in a resignation. The open secret is that there are men in every leading political party whose personal lives and conduct are dubious. If a politically dispensable minister is forced to resign on grounds of sexual misconduct, the day may not be far off when a woman or two or three will speak out against another whose political clout based on caste, popularity or other vote-catching abilities is significant. Now, which party would want to get rid of a vote-catcher? Every party will pay lip service or protest in differing degrees of outrage. The top leaders will murmur, one or two spokespersons will be more forthright, and some will talk in generalities. It is also a harsh fact that there are social and economic realities in India that make men historically powerful, and that cannot be wished away. If even getting women to rule from panchayat posts is difficult, it is more difficult to imagine power equations to change overnight on matters of sexual misconduct. As of now, there is no visibly significant outrage against sexual misconduct in the vast hinterland of India. Allegations against lyricist Vairamuthu in Tamil Nadu are just drops in the ocean of India's state politics. Only the naive would believe other states do not have widespread instances of alleged misconduct. South Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore are pockets of resistance -- or maybe they represent the vanguard of a revolution in the making. What they used to say in India vs Bharat argument -- about urban India flourishing while rural India is left behind -- can be stretched here. History, privilege, poverty, caste and gender have to be considered together to get an idea of the immensity of the issue. I recommend director Shyam Benegal's classic, Nishant as an educative movie on this subject. Only time will tell us how the meeting of an irresistible force against an immovable object shapes up in precise terms, but my guess is that we are headed for reform, not revolution. Slowly but steadily, voices will spring up against misconduct even in the hinterland, inspired and egged on by women who have stood up to be counted. But in the immediate term, both workplaces and political culture will need a rebooting of attitudes and beliefs, and that is likely to happen in a measured pace. Even the best of men may have to learn a lot, as we are discovering from outpourings of feelings and experiences. There is also the matter of jurisprudence in which legal technicalities will play out as court cases grind on because a presumption of innocence until there is proof of guilt, is normal in a healthy democracy. Everything from the dates of alleged misconduct, the precise law under which it needs to be examined, the demand for stay orders and the levels of the judiciary will matter in the scheme of things. If shaming public figures is a punishment, a lot has already happened. If better conduct across India in professional and public life matters, there is a long way to go. (This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

#MeToo has arrived in India, but yet to reach Bharat

The national president of the NSUI &nbsp;(National Students' Union of India) — the Congress's student wing — has stepped down after allegations of sexual harassment against him.&nbsp;

Fairoz Khan's resignation has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-about-time-everyone-learns-to-treat-women-with-respect-says-rahul-gandhi-171065">accepted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi</a>.&nbsp;

PTI reported that Khan submitted his resignation on Monday.

It added that the party had set up a three-member committee to look into the matter after a woman levelled charges of sexual harassment against Khan.&nbsp;

PTI added that the woman, a Congress worker, had also lodged a complaint against Khan at Parliament Stree police station.&nbsp;

She said in her complaint, PTI reported, that she feared for her life.&nbsp;

The national president of the NSUI (National Students' Union of India) — the Congress's student wing — has stepped down after allegations of sexual harassment against him.

The national president of the NSUI (National Students' Union of India) — the Congress's student wing — has stepped down after allegations of sexual harassment against him. Fairoz Khan's resignation has been accepted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. PTI reported that Khan submitted his resignation on Monday. It added that the party had set up a three-member committee to look into the matter after a woman levelled charges of sexual harassment against Khan. PTI added that the woman, a Congress worker, had also lodged a complaint against Khan at Parliament Stree police station. She said in her complaint, PTI reported, that she feared for her life.

NSUI chief Fairoz Khan quits after #MeToo charges, Rahul Gandhi accepts resignation

"Truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," the journalist Priya Ramani has said after news broke Monday afternoon that Union Minister MJ Akbar had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563">sued her for criminal defamation</a>.&nbsp;

Ramani put out her statement on Twitter.&nbsp;

"Those who have spoken up against Mr Akbar have done so at great risk to their personal and professional lives," she wrote.&nbsp;

"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," she added.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
My statement <a href="https://t.co/1W7M2lDqPN">pic.twitter.com/1W7M2lDqPN</a>
— Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1051817717467045890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Over 10 women journalists have accused Akbar, minister of state for external affairs, of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

Akbar, who returned to India Sunday morning from Africa, had been expected to resign. But he instead put out a statement (see tweet below) denying the allegations and alleging a political conspiracy "a few months before a general election".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://t.co/z4IL6kf7Q0">pic.twitter.com/z4IL6kf7Q0</a>
— M.J. Akbar (@mjakbar) <a href="https://twitter.com/mjakbar/status/1051452381983068161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He added in his statement that Ramani had begun "this campaign a year ago with a magazine article" (see tweet below) and that he would be deciding a "future course of legal action".&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ulti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ulti</a> <a href="https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7">https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7</a>
— Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1049279608263245824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"I am deeply disappointed that a union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy," Ramani wrote on Monday.&nbsp;

"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," she said. &nbsp;

"Needless to say, I am ready to fight allegations of defamation against me, as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," she added. &nbsp;

"Truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," the journalist Priya Ramani has said after news broke Monday afternoon that Union Minister MJ Akbar had sued her for criminal defamation.

"Truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," the journalist Priya Ramani has said after news broke Monday afternoon that Union Minister MJ Akbar had sued her for criminal defamation. Ramani put out her statement on Twitter. "Those who have spoken up against Mr Akbar have done so at great risk to their personal and professional lives," she wrote. "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," she added. My statement pic.twitter.com/1W7M2lDqPN — Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 15, 2018 × Over 10 women journalists have accused Akbar, minister of state for external affairs, of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor. Akbar, who returned to India Sunday morning from Africa, had been expected to resign. But he instead put out a statement (see tweet below) denying the allegations and alleging a political conspiracy "a few months before a general election". pic.twitter.com/z4IL6kf7Q0 — M.J. Akbar (@mjakbar) October 14, 2018 × He added in his statement that Ramani had begun "this campaign a year ago with a magazine article" (see tweet below) and that he would be deciding a "future course of legal action". I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. #ulti https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7 — Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 8, 2018 × "I am deeply disappointed that a union minister should dismiss the detailed allegations of several women as a political conspiracy," Ramani wrote on Monday. "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," she said. "Needless to say, I am ready to fight allegations of defamation against me, as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence," she added.

The absolute truth is my only defence: Priya Ramani after MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against her

Union Minister MJ Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani.&nbsp;

Over 10 women have accused Akbar of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-this-storm-just-before-general-elections-mj-akbar-to-take-legal-action-over-sexual-assault-allegations-171421">Akbar returns, says he will take legal action</a>

The latest charge came on Friday from the US-based CNN journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp who said Akbar forcibly kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age.

She was 18 at the time.&nbsp;

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I extended my hand to him in gratitude, he shoved his 55-yr-old tongue down my 18-yr-old throat. <a href="https://t.co/WLTyMndJYd">https://t.co/WLTyMndJYd</a>
— Majlie de Puy Kamp (@MajliedePuyKamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/MajliedePuyKamp/status/1050759087212941312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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But Akbar has zeroed in on Priya Ramani because he says she began "this campaign" against him a year ago (see her tweet below).&nbsp;

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I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ulti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ulti</a> <a href="https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7">https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7</a>
— Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1049279608263245824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Akbar returned to India only yesterday. He had been in Nigeria leading a trade delegation.&nbsp;

He had been expected to resign; a few television channels even ran reports Sunday saying he had emailed his resignation.

But Akbar finally released a statement saying "accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections"&nbsp;(see his tweet below).

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<a href="https://t.co/z4IL6kf7Q0">pic.twitter.com/z4IL6kf7Q0</a>
— M.J. Akbar (@mjakbar) <a href="https://twitter.com/mjakbar/status/1051452381983068161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He added that his "lawyers will look into these wild and baseless allegations in order to decide our future course of legal action".&nbsp;

News reports Monday quoted five of the women journalists who had accused Akbar of assault and harassment as saying they stood by their statements and would fight him.&nbsp;

Union Minister MJ Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani. Over 10 women have accused Akbar of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.

Union Minister MJ Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani. Over 10 women have accused Akbar of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor. Also read: Akbar returns, says he will take legal action The latest charge came on Friday from the US-based CNN journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp who said Akbar forcibly kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age. She was 18 at the time. I extended my hand to him in gratitude, he shoved his 55-yr-old tongue down my 18-yr-old throat. https://t.co/WLTyMndJYd — Majlie de Puy Kamp (@MajliedePuyKamp) October 12, 2018 × But Akbar has zeroed in on Priya Ramani because he says she began "this campaign" against him a year ago (see her tweet below). I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn’t “do” anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator—maybe they’ll share. #ulti https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7 — Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 8, 2018 × Akbar returned to India only yesterday. He had been in Nigeria leading a trade delegation. He had been expected to resign; a few television channels even ran reports Sunday saying he had emailed his resignation. But Akbar finally released a statement saying "accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections" (see his tweet below). pic.twitter.com/z4IL6kf7Q0 — M.J. Akbar (@mjakbar) October 14, 2018 × He added that his "lawyers will look into these wild and baseless allegations in order to decide our future course of legal action". News reports Monday quoted five of the women journalists who had accused Akbar of assault and harassment as saying they stood by their statements and would fight him.

#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563">#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar files </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563">criminal</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563"> defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani</a>

Union Minister MJ Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani.&nbsp;

Over 10 women have accused Akbar of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

But Akbar has zeroed in on Priya Ramani because he says she began "this campaign" against him a year ago.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-metoo-allegations-bjp-says-akbar-has-given-his-version-it-is-not-about-agreeing-or-disagreeing-with-him-171593">'Akbar has given his version,' BJP says on #MeToo allegations</a>

In its first comments on the sexual harassment allegations against Union Minister MJ Akbar, the BJP said Monday he has given his version on the row and that it is not about whether the party agrees or disagrees with him.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson GV L Narasimha Rao was asked at a press conference whether the ruling party agrees with Akbar on his statement on the allegations levelled against him by several women.

"It is not about agreeing or disagreeing. He has presented his version," Rao said.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/alok-nath-files-civil-defamation-against-vinta-nanda-seeks-apology-re-1-compensation-171565">#MeToo: Alok Nath files civil defamation case against Vinta Nanda, demands Re 1</a>

The actor Alok Nath filed a civil defamation case on Monday against the writer-producer Vinta Nanda. Nanda had accused Alok Nath of having raped her 19 years ago.

Nath, in his complaint, asked for a written apology and Re 1 compensation.&nbsp;

Nath, in a Facebook post, had said said she had been raped — more than once — by an "actor par excellence who is known as the most #Sanskaari (Cultured) person in the film and television industry".&nbsp;

When she was asked a day later if it was Alok Nath, she said yes.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-rising-fuel-prices-pm-modi-meets-experts-from-oil-gas-sectors-171578">PM Modi tells oil-producing countries that high prices are hurting global growth</a>

Amid the rising fuel price in the country, Prime Minister Modi on Monday held a meeting with CEOs and experts from the Oil and Gas sector from both India and abroad.

The meeting which was held in Delhi to attract private investment and raise domestic and gas oil production was attended by Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Dharmendra Pradhan, Vice-Chairman NITI Aayog Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Mukesh Ambani among others.

PM Modi in the meeting highlighted the economic challenges including serious resource crunch that the consuming countries face due to rising crude oil prices.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-chetan-bhagat-responds-to-fake-charges-against-him-171564">#MeToo: Chetan Bhagat responds to charges by author Ira Trivedi, asks 'who wanted to kiss whom?'</a>

Author Chetan Bhagat, in a series of tweets, has responded to the `fake` sexual assault allegations by author Ira Trivedi.

To defend himself, the 44-year-old shared a screenshot of a `self-explanatory` mail which apparently Trivedi sent to him in 2013.

"So who wanted to kiss whom?", wrote Bhagat, adding, "@iratrivedi`s self-explanatory email from 2013 to me, especially last line, easily shows her claims from 2010 are false, and she knows this too. This mental harassment of me and my family has to stop. Please don't harm a movement with #fakecharges #harassed"`

#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani Union Minister MJ Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani.

#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani Union Minister MJ Akbar has filed a criminal defamation case against the journalist Priya Ramani. Over 10 women have accused Akbar of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor. But Akbar has zeroed in on Priya Ramani because he says she began "this campaign" against him a year ago. 'Akbar has given his version,' BJP says on #MeToo allegations In its first comments on the sexual harassment allegations against Union Minister MJ Akbar, the BJP said Monday he has given his version on the row and that it is not about whether the party agrees or disagrees with him. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson GV L Narasimha Rao was asked at a press conference whether the ruling party agrees with Akbar on his statement on the allegations levelled against him by several women. "It is not about agreeing or disagreeing. He has presented his version," Rao said. #MeToo: Alok Nath files civil defamation case against Vinta Nanda, demands Re 1 The actor Alok Nath filed a civil defamation case on Monday against the writer-producer Vinta Nanda. Nanda had accused Alok Nath of having raped her 19 years ago. Nath, in his complaint, asked for a written apology and Re 1 compensation. Nath, in a Facebook post, had said said she had been raped — more than once — by an "actor par excellence who is known as the most #Sanskaari (Cultured) person in the film and television industry". When she was asked a day later if it was Alok Nath, she said yes. PM Modi tells oil-producing countries that high prices are hurting global growth Amid the rising fuel price in the country, Prime Minister Modi on Monday held a meeting with CEOs and experts from the Oil and Gas sector from both India and abroad. The meeting which was held in Delhi to attract private investment and raise domestic and gas oil production was attended by Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Dharmendra Pradhan, Vice-Chairman NITI Aayog Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Mukesh Ambani among others. PM Modi in the meeting highlighted the economic challenges including serious resource crunch that the consuming countries face due to rising crude oil prices. #MeToo: Chetan Bhagat responds to charges by author Ira Trivedi, asks 'who wanted to kiss whom?' Author Chetan Bhagat, in a series of tweets, has responded to the `fake` sexual assault allegations by author Ira Trivedi. To defend himself, the 44-year-old shared a screenshot of a `self-explanatory` mail which apparently Trivedi sent to him in 2013. "So who wanted to kiss whom?", wrote Bhagat, adding, "@iratrivedi`s self-explanatory email from 2013 to me, especially last line, easily shows her claims from 2010 are false, and she knows this too. This mental harassment of me and my family has to stop. Please don't harm a movement with #fakecharges #harassed"`

In its first comments on the sexual harassment allegations against Union Minister MJ Akbar, the BJP said Monday he has given his version on the row and that it is not about whether the party agrees or disagrees with him.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson GV L Narasimha Rao was asked at a press conference whether the ruling party agrees with Akbar on his statement on the allegations levelled against him by several women.

"It is not about agreeing or disagreeing. He has presented his version," Rao said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563">Union Minister MJ Akbar files </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563">criminal</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-union-minister-mj-akbar-files-defamation-case-against-journalist-priya-ramani-171563"> defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani</a>

The Minister of State for External Affairs had Sunday rejected the allegations as "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against the accusers.

BJP leaders and spokespersons had so far maintained a studied silence on the issue amid an increasing demand for the minister to quit his position.

Some woman Union minister have supported the #MeToo movement, which has encouraged women in different fields to come out with their stories of sexual harassment by men in powerful position over the years.&nbsp;

In its first comments on the sexual harassment allegations against Union Minister MJ Akbar, the BJP said Monday he has given his version on the row and that it is not about whether the party agrees or disagrees with him.

In its first comments on the sexual harassment allegations against Union Minister MJ Akbar, the BJP said Monday he has given his version on the row and that it is not about whether the party agrees or disagrees with him. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson GV L Narasimha Rao was asked at a press conference whether the ruling party agrees with Akbar on his statement on the allegations levelled against him by several women. "It is not about agreeing or disagreeing. He has presented his version," Rao said. Also read: Union Minister MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani The Minister of State for External Affairs had Sunday rejected the allegations as "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against the accusers. BJP leaders and spokespersons had so far maintained a studied silence on the issue amid an increasing demand for the minister to quit his position. Some woman Union minister have supported the #MeToo movement, which has encouraged women in different fields to come out with their stories of sexual harassment by men in powerful position over the years.

'Akbar has given his version,' BJP says on #MeToo allegations

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar returned to India Sunday morning.&nbsp;

There has been a growing clamour for his sacking after at least eight women have accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

The latest charge came on Friday from the US-based journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp who said Akbar forcibly kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age.

She was 18 at the time.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-charges-against-mj-akbar-will-be-probed-says-amit-shah-171229">Charges against MJ Akbar will be probed, says BJP president Amit Shah</a>

"There will be a statement later on," Akbar said on landing in Delhi.&nbsp;

A little later, television news channels began running reports that Akbar had emailed in his resignation but there has been no official confirmation as yet.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Delhi:Union Minister MJ Akbar returns to India amid accusations of sexual harassment against him, says, "there will be a statement later on." <a href="https://t.co/ozI0ARBSz4">pic.twitter.com/ozI0ARBSz4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051311102796189696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PTI quoted party sources earlier as saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take the final call on Akbar's continuance as junior foreign minister.

PTI quoted the party sources as saying the charges against Akbar are serious, and his continuance as minister is no longer guaranteed.&nbsp;

PTI added thought that there is also a view within the party that there is no legal case against Akbar, and that the allegations pertain to a time long before he became a minister.

On Friday, BJP president Amit Shah said that the charges against Akbar would be probed. He added though that anybody can saying anything about anybody on social media, his meaning being that the veracity of the allegations will have to be proved.&nbsp;

The comments by Shah were among the first on Akbar since he was outed in India's burgeoning #MeToo movement.&nbsp;

BJP leaders have by and large avoided comment on their colleague.&nbsp;

Smriti Irani said recently that it was up to the minister to respond to the allegations. Akbar, who was on a tour of Africa, has not done so so far.&nbsp;

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar returned to India Sunday morning. There has been a growing clamour for his sacking after at least eight women have accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar returned to India Sunday morning. There has been a growing clamour for his sacking after at least eight women have accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor. The latest charge came on Friday from the US-based journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp who said Akbar forcibly kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age. She was 18 at the time. Also read: Charges against MJ Akbar will be probed, says BJP president Amit Shah "There will be a statement later on," Akbar said on landing in Delhi. A little later, television news channels began running reports that Akbar had emailed in his resignation but there has been no official confirmation as yet. #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 × PTI quoted party sources earlier as saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take the final call on Akbar's continuance as junior foreign minister. PTI quoted the party sources as saying the charges against Akbar are serious, and his continuance as minister is no longer guaranteed. PTI added thought that there is also a view within the party that there is no legal case against Akbar, and that the allegations pertain to a time long before he became a minister. On Friday, BJP president Amit Shah said that the charges against Akbar would be probed. He added though that anybody can saying anything about anybody on social media, his meaning being that the veracity of the allegations will have to be proved. The comments by Shah were among the first on Akbar since he was outed in India's burgeoning #MeToo movement. BJP leaders have by and large avoided comment on their colleague. Smriti Irani said recently that it was up to the minister to respond to the allegations. Akbar, who was on a tour of Africa, has not done so so far.

MJ Akbar returns, party sources say Modi to take final call on his continuance as minister

The actor Kate Sharma has filed a police complaint in Mumbai against the filmmaker <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/metoo-director-subhash-ghai-accused-of-raping-a-woman-he-denies-allegations-171033">Subhash Ghai</a>.&nbsp;

In her police complaint, Sharma said Ghai called her to his home on August 6.&nbsp;

There were five to six people there, she said.&nbsp;In front of all of them, she added, Ghai asked her to massage him.&nbsp;

News reports quoted Sharma as saying in her complaint that she was shocked but because she respected Ghai's seniority, she massaged him for a few minutes.&nbsp;

Then she went to the bathroom to wash her hands.&nbsp;

Sharma says Ghai followed her, called her to his room to talk, and then tried to kiss her.&nbsp;

The reports quoted Sharma as saying she told Ghai she wanted to leave but he threatened her, saying he would not launch her if she did not stay the night.&nbsp;

On Sunday morning, Ghai tweeted that he was a "grt supporter d metoo movement but hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it 4their own short time fame".&nbsp;

"I feel grief if some one trying 2harm &nbsp;my reputation.&nbsp;Any way my lawyers will take care of matter," he added.&nbsp;

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I am surely a grt supporter of d metoo movement n women empowerment bt hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it 4their own short time fame. 
I feel grief if some one trying 2harm my reputation.Any way my lawyers will take care of matter
— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SubhashGhai1/status/1051307163002515456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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An unnamed woman accused Ghai on social media last week of having raped her. In the post — tweeted by the writer and poet Mahima Kukreja — the woman accused Ghai of spiking her drink, taking her to a hotel, and raping her there.&nbsp;

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TW: drugging and raping. About Shubash Ghai. Told personally by the woman who faced the trauma. She’s also a very credible media/lit personality. (2/2) <a href="https://t.co/YVMRZSpQc6">pic.twitter.com/YVMRZSpQc6</a>
— Mahima Kukreja 🌱🌈✊🏽 (@AGirlOfHerWords) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGirlOfHerWords/status/1050372532761702403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"It is sad that it is becoming a fashion to malign anyone known, bringing some stories from past without any truth or blown up false allegations if all. I deny strictly and firmly all false allegations like these," the 73-year-old Ghai told PTI then.&nbsp;

"If she claims this way, she should go to the court of law and prove it. Justice will be done or I will go for defamation certainly," he added.

The actor Kate Sharma has filed a police complaint in Mumbai against the filmmaker Subhash Ghai. In her police complaint, Sharma said Ghai called her to his home on August 6.

The actor Kate Sharma has filed a police complaint in Mumbai against the filmmaker Subhash Ghai. In her police complaint, Sharma said Ghai called her to his home on August 6. There were five to six people there, she said. In front of all of them, she added, Ghai asked her to massage him. News reports quoted Sharma as saying in her complaint that she was shocked but because she respected Ghai's seniority, she massaged him for a few minutes. Then she went to the bathroom to wash her hands. Sharma says Ghai followed her, called her to his room to talk, and then tried to kiss her. The reports quoted Sharma as saying she told Ghai she wanted to leave but he threatened her, saying he would not launch her if she did not stay the night. On Sunday morning, Ghai tweeted that he was a "grt supporter d metoo movement but hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it 4their own short time fame". "I feel grief if some one trying 2harm my reputation. Any way my lawyers will take care of matter," he added. I am surely a grt supporter of d metoo movement n women empowerment bt hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it 4their own short time fame. I feel grief if some one trying 2harm my reputation.Any way my lawyers will take care of matter — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) October 14, 2018 × An unnamed woman accused Ghai on social media last week of having raped her. In the post — tweeted by the writer and poet Mahima Kukreja — the woman accused Ghai of spiking her drink, taking her to a hotel, and raping her there. TW: drugging and raping. About Shubash Ghai. Told personally by the woman who faced the trauma. She’s also a very credible media/lit personality. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/YVMRZSpQc6 — Mahima Kukreja 🌱🌈✊🏽 (@AGirlOfHerWords) October 11, 2018 × "It is sad that it is becoming a fashion to malign anyone known, bringing some stories from past without any truth or blown up false allegations if all. I deny strictly and firmly all false allegations like these," the 73-year-old Ghai told PTI then. "If she claims this way, she should go to the court of law and prove it. Justice will be done or I will go for defamation certainly," he added.

#MeToo: Actor Kate Sharma accuses Subhash Ghai of sexual harassment

The Committee of Administrators of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to submit an explanation after he was accused of sexual assault. Johri has been asked to submit his explanation within a week.&nbsp;

The BCCI CEO was accused of sexual assault by an unnamed woman on Twitter.&nbsp;

The accusation was put out on Twitter by another woman — she shared the accounts of a number of survivors of sexual assault, misconduct, and harassment by a "bunch of head honchos in media".

"Rahul Johari (sic), your #timesup," the woman who put out the accusations tweeted. &nbsp;

A little later, she said the press should not mention her tweets, nor embed them in their stories.&nbsp;
<img alt="The tweets accusing Johri of assault, and the later directive that the tweets not be used by the media." data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The tweets accusing Johri of assault, and the later directive that the tweets not be used by the media.&lt;/em&gt;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="575a2df3-6321-4b01-b63d-2021a3c739fc" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/rahul%20johri_2.jpg" />
The woman accusing Johri of assault says in her account that she and Johri had been colleagues.&nbsp;

He had at the time moved to a new channel, while she was looking for a job. (Before joining the BCCI, Johri was working at the Discovery Channel.)&nbsp;

She says Johri had asked her out to coffee, and after turning him down a number of time she had finally said yes. She says she had thought that perhaps she could explore her options at the channel he had just joined.&nbsp;

Midway through coffee, she says Johri told her they were going to his place.&nbsp;

She says she had thought Johri's wife, Seema, whom she had met once, would be at home. But she was not.&nbsp;

When she entered Johri's home in Gurgaon, she asked for water. But Johri began talking to her about hiring her as his second-in-command.&nbsp;

He then got up to get her water. When he came back, she says, he took off his pants.&nbsp;

She says Johri then said "this is the last part of your interview with me", and then made her fellate him.&nbsp;

Johri's is not the first name from the cricketing world to be outed&nbsp;by India's burgeoning #MeToo movement.&nbsp;

Indian playback singer Chinmayi Sripaada, a prominent figure in the south, has accused Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga of sexually assaulting a woman at a Mumbai hotel. And former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has been accused of sexually harassing an Indian flight attendant also at a Mumbai hotel.

The Committee of Administrators of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to submit an explanation after he was accused of sexual assault.

The Committee of Administrators of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to submit an explanation after he was accused of sexual assault. Johri has been asked to submit his explanation within a week. The BCCI CEO was accused of sexual assault by an unnamed woman on Twitter. The accusation was put out on Twitter by another woman — she shared the accounts of a number of survivors of sexual assault, misconduct, and harassment by a "bunch of head honchos in media". "Rahul Johari (sic), your #timesup," the woman who put out the accusations tweeted. A little later, she said the press should not mention her tweets, nor embed them in their stories. The woman accusing Johri of assault says in her account that she and Johri had been colleagues. He had at the time moved to a new channel, while she was looking for a job. (Before joining the BCCI, Johri was working at the Discovery Channel.) She says Johri had asked her out to coffee, and after turning him down a number of time she had finally said yes. She says she had thought that perhaps she could explore her options at the channel he had just joined. Midway through coffee, she says Johri told her they were going to his place. She says she had thought Johri's wife, Seema, whom she had met once, would be at home. But she was not. When she entered Johri's home in Gurgaon, she asked for water. But Johri began talking to her about hiring her as his second-in-command. He then got up to get her water. When he came back, she says, he took off his pants. She says Johri then said "this is the last part of your interview with me", and then made her fellate him. Johri's is not the first name from the cricketing world to be outed by India's burgeoning #MeToo movement. Indian playback singer Chinmayi Sripaada, a prominent figure in the south, has accused Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga of sexually assaulting a woman at a Mumbai hotel. And former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has been accused of sexually harassing an Indian flight attendant also at a Mumbai hotel.

BCCI asks Rahul Johri to submit explanation after sexual assault allegations

Shortly after returning to India, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Sunday released a detailed statement over sexual harassment allegations against him describing them as "false and fabricated." According to reports, the minister is set to take legal action against accusations made against him.

In his statement, Akbar asked why such allegations were levelled against him just before the general elections?

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Lies do not have legs, but they do contain poison, which can be whipped into a frenzy. This is deeply distressing. I will be taking appropriate legal action: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJAkbar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJAkbar</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051416803317026816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is there an agenda? You be the judge. These false, baseless and wild allegations have caused irreparable damage to my reputation and goodwill," he told the media.&nbsp;

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The allegations of misconduct made against me are false and fabricated, spiced up by innuendo and malice. I could not reply earlier as I was on an official tour abroad: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJAkbar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJAkbar</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/dRE0qXMiCW">pic.twitter.com/dRE0qXMiCW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051415837289123840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He further added that he could not respond to the "false and fabricated" allegations as he was "on an official tour abroad."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJAkbar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJAkbar</a> to take legal action against accusations made against him of sexual assault, releases detailed statement. <a href="https://t.co/HZcJJubNIM">pic.twitter.com/HZcJJubNIM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051415981728440320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections. 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," Akbar noted.&nbsp;

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Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections. 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: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJAkbar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJAkbar</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/AVrkfSVA87">pic.twitter.com/AVrkfSVA87</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051416327431344128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Lies do not have legs, but they do contain poison, which can be whipped into a frenzy. This is deeply distressing. I will be taking appropriate legal action," he stated.&nbsp;

Here is what Akbar stated further:

Priya Ramani began this campaign a year ago with a magazine article. She did not, however, name me as she knew it was an incorrect story. When asked recently why she had not named me, she replied, in a tweet, “Never named him because he didn't 'do' anything."

If I didn't do anything, where and what is the story? There's no story. But a sea of innuendo, speculation and abusive diatribe has been built around something that never happened. Some are total, unsubstantiated hearsay; others confirm, on the record, that I didn’t do anything

Shutapa Paul states, “The man never laid a hand on me.” Shuma Raha says, “I must clarify, however, that he didn’t actually ‘do’ anything”. One woman, Anju Bharti, went to the absurd extent of claiming I was partying in a swimming pool. I do not know how to swim

Another accusation was made repeatedly by Ms Ghazala Wahab, in an effort to damage my reputation. She claimed that she had been molested in office, 21 years ago. This &nbsp;is 16 years before I entered public life, and when I was in media

The only office where I worked with Ghazala Wahab was that of The Asian Age. A part of the editorial team then worked out of a small hall. At the time concerned, I had a very tiny cubicle, patched together by plywood and glass. Others had tables and chairs two feet away

It is utterly bizarre to believe that anything could have happened in that tiny space, and, moreover, that no one else in the vicinity would come to know, in the midst of a working day. These allegations are false, motivated and baseless.

Pertinent to remember Ms Ramani and Ms Wahab kept working with me even after these alleged incidents; clearly establishes they had no apprehension and discomfort. The reason why they remained silent for decades is very apparent, as Ms Ramani has herself stated, I never did anything.

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Pertinent to remember Ms Ramani&amp;Ms Wahab kept working with me even after these alleged incidents; clearly establishes they had no apprehension&amp;discomfort. Reason why they remained silent for decades is very apparent,as Ms Ramani has herself stated, I never did anything: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJAkbar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJAkbar</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051420314662592514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There has been a growing clamour for his sacking after at least eight women have accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

The latest charge came on Friday from the US-based journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp who said Akbar forcibly kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Shutapa Paul states, “The man never laid a hand on me.”Shuma Raha says, “I must clarify, however, that he didn’t actually ‘do’ anything”.One woman, Anju Bharti, went to the absurd extent of claiming I was partying in a swimming pool. I do not know how to swim: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJAkbar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJAkbar</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/Cl0etymt6P">pic.twitter.com/Cl0etymt6P</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051419418008391680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PTI quoted party sources earlier as saying <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/minister-mj-akbar-to-return-today-pm-modi-to-take-final-call-on-his-continuance-sources-171362">Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take the final call on Akbar's continuance</a> as junior foreign minister.

Shortly after returning to India, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Sunday released a detailed statement over sexual harassment allegations against him describing them as "false and fabricated.

Shortly after returning to India, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Sunday released a detailed statement over sexual harassment allegations against him describing them as "false and fabricated." According to reports, the minister is set to take legal action against accusations made against him. In his statement, Akbar asked why such allegations were levelled against him just before the general elections? Lies do not have legs, but they do contain poison, which can be whipped into a frenzy. This is deeply distressing. I will be taking appropriate legal action: #MJAkbar — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018 × "Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is there an agenda? You be the judge. These false, baseless and wild allegations have caused irreparable damage to my reputation and goodwill," he told the media. The allegations of misconduct made against me are false and fabricated, spiced up by innuendo and malice. I could not reply earlier as I was on an official tour abroad: #MJAkbar (file pic) pic.twitter.com/dRE0qXMiCW — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018 × He further added that he could not respond to the "false and fabricated" allegations as he was "on an official tour abroad." #MJAkbar to take legal action against accusations made against him of sexual assault, releases detailed statement. pic.twitter.com/HZcJJubNIM — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018 × "Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections. 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," Akbar noted. Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections. 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: #MJAkbar (file pic) pic.twitter.com/AVrkfSVA87 — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018 × "Lies do not have legs, but they do contain poison, which can be whipped into a frenzy. This is deeply distressing. I will be taking appropriate legal action," he stated. Here is what Akbar stated further: Priya Ramani began this campaign a year ago with a magazine article. She did not, however, name me as she knew it was an incorrect story. When asked recently why she had not named me, she replied, in a tweet, “Never named him because he didn't 'do' anything." If I didn't do anything, where and what is the story? There's no story. But a sea of innuendo, speculation and abusive diatribe has been built around something that never happened. Some are total, unsubstantiated hearsay; others confirm, on the record, that I didn’t do anything Shutapa Paul states, “The man never laid a hand on me.” Shuma Raha says, “I must clarify, however, that he didn’t actually ‘do’ anything”. One woman, Anju Bharti, went to the absurd extent of claiming I was partying in a swimming pool. I do not know how to swim Another accusation was made repeatedly by Ms Ghazala Wahab, in an effort to damage my reputation. She claimed that she had been molested in office, 21 years ago. This is 16 years before I entered public life, and when I was in media The only office where I worked with Ghazala Wahab was that of The Asian Age. A part of the editorial team then worked out of a small hall. At the time concerned, I had a very tiny cubicle, patched together by plywood and glass. Others had tables and chairs two feet away It is utterly bizarre to believe that anything could have happened in that tiny space, and, moreover, that no one else in the vicinity would come to know, in the midst of a working day. These allegations are false, motivated and baseless. Pertinent to remember Ms Ramani and Ms Wahab kept working with me even after these alleged incidents; clearly establishes they had no apprehension and discomfort. The reason why they remained silent for decades is very apparent, as Ms Ramani has herself stated, I never did anything. Pertinent to remember Ms Ramani&Ms Wahab kept working with me even after these alleged incidents; clearly establishes they had no apprehension&discomfort. Reason why they remained silent for decades is very apparent,as Ms Ramani has herself stated, I never did anything: #MJAkbar — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018 × There has been a growing clamour for his sacking after at least eight women have accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor. The latest charge came on Friday from the US-based journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp who said Akbar forcibly kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age. Shutapa Paul states, “The man never laid a hand on me.”Shuma Raha says, “I must clarify, however, that he didn’t actually ‘do’ anything”.One woman, Anju Bharti, went to the absurd extent of claiming I was partying in a swimming pool. I do not know how to swim: #MJAkbar (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Cl0etymt6P — ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2018 × PTI quoted party sources earlier as saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take the final call on Akbar's continuance as junior foreign minister.

'Why this storm just before general elections?' MJ Akbar issues statement, moves for legal action

BJP president Amit Shah has said the charges of sexual assault and harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar will be probed.&nbsp;

News reports Saturday quoted Shah as saying the veracity of the allegations against Akbar would have to be examined. "We will definitely look into the issue," he was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

Shah added that Akbar's side of the story would have to be heard too.&nbsp;

The comments on Akbar are among the first by the BJP leadership.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-about-time-everyone-learns-to-treat-women-with-respect-says-rahul-gandhi-171065">'Truth needs to be told loud and clear,' says Rahul Gandhi</a>

Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani had earlier said it was up to the minister to respond. Akbar, who is currently on a tour of Africa, has not done so so far. He is due to return on Sunday.&nbsp;

At least eight women have so far accused Akbar of assault and harassment when he was a newspaper editor.&nbsp;

The latest charges came on Friday from the US-based journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp, who said Akbar kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age.

She was 18 at the time.&nbsp;

News reports quoted her as saying Akbar "violated my boundaries, betrayed my trust and that of my parents”. Kamp had got her internship through her parents who were both foreign correspondents in India at the time.&nbsp;

Maneka Gandhi meanwhile has said her ministry of women and child development will be setting up a panel of legal experts to "examine all issues emanating from the #MeTooIndia movement".&nbsp;

“I believe in the pain and trauma behind every single complaint. Cases of sexual harassment at work must be dealt with a policy of zero tolerance. The Ministry will be setting up a committee of senior judicial &amp; legal persons to examine all issues emanating from the #MeTooIndia movement,” Gandhi tweeted.

“It takes a lot for women to come out like this. These cases have been elephants in the rooms for the last 25 years. The question here is how can they prove these after all these years... they have faced verbal assault, they have been touched, pinched, their clothes have been pulled,” Gandhi told PTI.

“The first thing to do is naming and shaming these monsters. Naming and shaming will go a long way in lessening the pain these women have been carrying,” Gandhi added.

BJP president Amit Shah has said the charges of sexual assault and harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar will be probed. News reports Saturday quoted Shah as saying the veracity of the allegations against Akbar would have to be examined.

BJP president Amit Shah has said the charges of sexual assault and harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar will be probed. News reports Saturday quoted Shah as saying the veracity of the allegations against Akbar would have to be examined. "We will definitely look into the issue," he was quoted as saying. Shah added that Akbar's side of the story would have to be heard too. The comments on Akbar are among the first by the BJP leadership. Also read: 'Truth needs to be told loud and clear,' says Rahul Gandhi Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani had earlier said it was up to the minister to respond. Akbar, who is currently on a tour of Africa, has not done so so far. He is due to return on Sunday. At least eight women have so far accused Akbar of assault and harassment when he was a newspaper editor. The latest charges came on Friday from the US-based journalist Majlie de Puy Kamp, who said Akbar kissed her — she had he put his tongue into her mouth — on her last day in office when she was interning with the Asian Age. She was 18 at the time. News reports quoted her as saying Akbar "violated my boundaries, betrayed my trust and that of my parents”. Kamp had got her internship through her parents who were both foreign correspondents in India at the time. Maneka Gandhi meanwhile has said her ministry of women and child development will be setting up a panel of legal experts to "examine all issues emanating from the #MeTooIndia movement". “I believe in the pain and trauma behind every single complaint. Cases of sexual harassment at work must be dealt with a policy of zero tolerance. The Ministry will be setting up a committee of senior judicial & legal persons to examine all issues emanating from the #MeTooIndia movement,” Gandhi tweeted. “It takes a lot for women to come out like this. These cases have been elephants in the rooms for the last 25 years. The question here is how can they prove these after all these years... they have faced verbal assault, they have been touched, pinched, their clothes have been pulled,” Gandhi told PTI. “The first thing to do is naming and shaming these monsters. Naming and shaming will go a long way in lessening the pain these women have been carrying,” Gandhi added.

#MeToo: Charges against MJ Akbar will be probed, says BJP president Amit Shah

The actor Alok Nath has filed a defamation suit against the writer and director Vinta Nanda who on Monday accused him of having raped her 19 years ago.&nbsp;

Others, including the actress Sandhya Mridul , have since come out saying they too were sexually harassed by Nath.&nbsp;

Mridul has said Nath had tried to force himself on her after getting drunk, and a crew member of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain has said Nath stripped naked in front of her.&nbsp;

When the crew member tried to make her way out of the room, she said Nath grabbed her hand and manhandled her.&nbsp;

Nath played the role of the "sanskaari bapuji" in the film Hum Saath Saath Hain, which is also what he built his reputation on.&nbsp;

News reports quoted Nath’s lawyer Ashok Saraogi as having said earlier that it was easy to make allegations about something that happened 19 years ago. Saraogi said that that itself proved the allegations were false, for "a person will never wait for a period of 19 years to make such allegations, especially when we have a democracy, when we have a proper ministry over here, to look after all these things”.&nbsp;

Saraogi had also threatened Nanda with a defamation suit if the accusations continued, saying they would seek an injunction so that "she (Nanda) can't make baseless allegations in media and defame my client". &nbsp;

On Monday, Nanda said she had been raped — more than once — by an "actor par excellence who is known as the most #Sanskaari (Cultured) person in the film and television industry".&nbsp;

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When she was asked a day later if it was Alok Nath, she said yes.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Nanda said she had not yet received the notice of the defamation suit.&nbsp;

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She added that "we will respond to the notice once we get it and I assure all of you that we will fight this battle right till the end".&nbsp;&nbsp;

The actor Alok Nath has filed a defamation suit against the writer and director Vinta Nanda who on Monday accused him of having raped her 19 years ago. Others, including the actress Sandhya Mridul , have since come out saying they too were sexually harassed by Nath.

The actor Alok Nath has filed a defamation suit against the writer and director Vinta Nanda who on Monday accused him of having raped her 19 years ago. Others, including the actress Sandhya Mridul , have since come out saying they too were sexually harassed by Nath. Mridul has said Nath had tried to force himself on her after getting drunk, and a crew member of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain has said Nath stripped naked in front of her. When the crew member tried to make her way out of the room, she said Nath grabbed her hand and manhandled her. Nath played the role of the "sanskaari bapuji" in the film Hum Saath Saath Hain, which is also what he built his reputation on. News reports quoted Nath’s lawyer Ashok Saraogi as having said earlier that it was easy to make allegations about something that happened 19 years ago. Saraogi said that that itself proved the allegations were false, for "a person will never wait for a period of 19 years to make such allegations, especially when we have a democracy, when we have a proper ministry over here, to look after all these things”. Saraogi had also threatened Nanda with a defamation suit if the accusations continued, saying they would seek an injunction so that "she (Nanda) can't make baseless allegations in media and defame my client". On Monday, Nanda said she had been raped — more than once — by an "actor par excellence who is known as the most #Sanskaari (Cultured) person in the film and television industry". × When she was asked a day later if it was Alok Nath, she said yes. On Saturday, Nanda said she had not yet received the notice of the defamation suit. × She added that "we will respond to the notice once we get it and I assure all of you that we will fight this battle right till the end".

#MeToo: Alok Nath files defamation suit against Vinta Nanda who accused him of rape

There should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment and exploitation against journalists and other members of the media, a spokesperson for President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa said.&nbsp;

The remarks came in response to a question on the explosion of the MeToo movement in India, where several women from the field of media, entertainment and journalism have come forward and shared personal stories of being sexually harassed and assaulted by their male bosses, colleagues and even prominent political leaders and artists.&nbsp;

"The President of the General Assembly has made very clear that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and since we are talking about members of the press and journalists, there is also zero tolerance for journalists to be harassed when they are doing their job," Espinosa's spokesperson Monica Grayley said at her daily press briefing here Thursday.&nbsp;

Women from a wide spectrum of fields are taking to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to name and shame those who abused or harmed them and demanding justice and stern action.&nbsp;

Grayley said while she cannot comment on specific cases as she was not aware of them, she said the General Assembly President is "very firm" on her stance on zero tolerance for sexual abuse.&nbsp;

"When you take a stance against sexual violence, sexual harassment of any kind and harassment to members of the press, one is not talking about only a specific area of the world. You are talking about universal terms. It is zero tolerance, zero is zero, it is not zero minus one or zero plus one. It is not acceptable," she said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

There should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment and exploitation against journalists and other members of the media, a spokesperson for President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa said.

There should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment and exploitation against journalists and other members of the media, a spokesperson for President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa said. The remarks came in response to a question on the explosion of the MeToo movement in India, where several women from the field of media, entertainment and journalism have come forward and shared personal stories of being sexually harassed and assaulted by their male bosses, colleagues and even prominent political leaders and artists. "The President of the General Assembly has made very clear that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and since we are talking about members of the press and journalists, there is also zero tolerance for journalists to be harassed when they are doing their job," Espinosa's spokesperson Monica Grayley said at her daily press briefing here Thursday. Women from a wide spectrum of fields are taking to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to name and shame those who abused or harmed them and demanding justice and stern action. Grayley said while she cannot comment on specific cases as she was not aware of them, she said the General Assembly President is "very firm" on her stance on zero tolerance for sexual abuse. "When you take a stance against sexual violence, sexual harassment of any kind and harassment to members of the press, one is not talking about only a specific area of the world. You are talking about universal terms. It is zero tolerance, zero is zero, it is not zero minus one or zero plus one. It is not acceptable," she said.

There should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment: Spokesperson for UNGA President on #MeToo in India

Watch: WION Fineprint, 12th October, 2018

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Blog: #MeToo movement is all about empowering women

#MeToo: MJ Akbar vows to fight back sexual assault allegations

#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar resigns after sexual assault allegations

#MeToo: Vinta Nanda files complaint against Alok Nath

#MeToo has arrived in India, but yet to reach Bharat

NSUI chief Fairoz Khan quits after #MeToo charges, Rahul Gandhi accepts resignation

The absolute truth is my only defence: Priya Ramani after MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against her

#MeToo: Union Minister MJ Akbar files criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani

News brief: Big stories of the day

'Akbar has given his version,' BJP says on #MeToo allegations

MJ Akbar returns, party sources say Modi to take final call on his continuance as minister

#MeToo: Actor Kate Sharma accuses Subhash Ghai of sexual harassment

BCCI asks Rahul Johri to submit explanation after sexual assault allegations