The man that former "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey is accused by prosecutors of sexually assaulting in Massachusetts three years ago has dropped a civil lawsuit he filed against the Oscar-winning actor only last week.

Mitchell Garabedian, the alleged victim's lawyer, on Friday said his client filed papers on Wednesday to voluntarily dismiss a lawsuit in Nantucket County Superior Court that accused Spacey of "explicit sexual behavior and lewd and lascivious conduct."

Garabedian declined to comment further on the dismissal, citing the pending criminal case prosecutors filed last year against Spacey. The civil lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning his client cannot refile the case later.

Spacey, who won an Academy Award in 2000 for his role in "American Beauty," has pleaded not guilty to one count of felony indecent assault and battery at a bar on the Massachusetts beach island of Nantucket. Spacey denies the allegation.

Reuters is not identifying the accuser because he is an alleged victim of sexual assault. Spacey's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

Spacey first became embroiled in controversy in October 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp accused him of trying to seduce him in 1986 when Rapp was 14. The controversy led to Spacey being dropped from the Netflix television series "House of Cards" and erased from the film "All the Money in the World."

Spacey, 59, apologized for inappropriate conduct with Rapp.

Spacey is one of dozens of men in the entertainment industry, business and politics who have been accused of sexual misconduct following the emergence in 2017 of the #MeToo movement.

Prosecutors charged Spacey in the Nantucket case in December.

The accuser told police Spacey had bought him several rounds of beer and whiskey at the Club Car Restaurant on Nantucket in July 2016 when he was 18 years old and said at one point, "Let's get drunk," according to charging documents.

As they stood next to a piano, Spacey groped him, he told investigators.

Spacey's lawyers have accused the man of deleting text messages that would support his defense. The judge overseeing his criminal case recently ordered Spacey's accuser to provide his cellphone to the defense.

But Garabedian on June 19 told the court the accuser cannot find the phone. The judge has ordered the accuser, his parents and Garabedian to attend a hearing on Monday if it cannot be found.

The man that former "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey is accused by prosecutors of sexually assaulting in Massachusetts three years ago has dropped a civil lawsuit he filed against the Oscar-winning actor only last week.

The man that former "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey is accused by prosecutors of sexually assaulting in Massachusetts three years ago has dropped a civil lawsuit he filed against the Oscar-winning actor only last week. Mitchell Garabedian, the alleged victim's lawyer, on Friday said his client filed papers on Wednesday to voluntarily dismiss a lawsuit in Nantucket County Superior Court that accused Spacey of "explicit sexual behavior and lewd and lascivious conduct." Garabedian declined to comment further on the dismissal, citing the pending criminal case prosecutors filed last year against Spacey. The civil lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning his client cannot refile the case later. Spacey, who won an Academy Award in 2000 for his role in "American Beauty," has pleaded not guilty to one count of felony indecent assault and battery at a bar on the Massachusetts beach island of Nantucket. Spacey denies the allegation. Reuters is not identifying the accuser because he is an alleged victim of sexual assault. Spacey's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. Spacey first became embroiled in controversy in October 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp accused him of trying to seduce him in 1986 when Rapp was 14. The controversy led to Spacey being dropped from the Netflix television series "House of Cards" and erased from the film "All the Money in the World." Spacey, 59, apologized for inappropriate conduct with Rapp. Spacey is one of dozens of men in the entertainment industry, business and politics who have been accused of sexual misconduct following the emergence in 2017 of the #MeToo movement. Prosecutors charged Spacey in the Nantucket case in December. The accuser told police Spacey had bought him several rounds of beer and whiskey at the Club Car Restaurant on Nantucket in July 2016 when he was 18 years old and said at one point, "Let's get drunk," according to charging documents. As they stood next to a piano, Spacey groped him, he told investigators. Spacey's lawyers have accused the man of deleting text messages that would support his defense. The judge overseeing his criminal case recently ordered Spacey's accuser to provide his cellphone to the defense. But Garabedian on June 19 told the court the accuser cannot find the phone. The judge has ordered the accuser, his parents and Garabedian to attend a hearing on Monday if it cannot be found.

Actor Kevin Spacey's alleged sex assault victim drops lawsuit

Convicted sex offender <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actor-comedian-bill-cosby-seeks-new-sexual-assault-trial-reduced-prison-sentence-170301">Bill Cosby</a> on Friday settled a federal defamation lawsuit brought by seven women who said the former actor and comedian sexually assaulted them and wrongly called them liars when they went public with their charges years later.

The settlement ends a court fight that predates the 81-year-old's conviction a year ago for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University administrator, in 2004. Cosby is currently serving a 3- to 10-year sentence for that crime, though his lawyers plan an appeal.

He was the first celebrity convicted of sexual misconduct since the rise of the #MeToo movement, which cast a harsh light on widespread patterns of sexual harassment or abuse in multiple spheres of American life and ended the careers of dozens of powerful men in American media, politics and business.

The settlement covers seven of some 50 women who emerged over the past decade to level sex abuse charges against the once-beloved star of "The Cosby Show," who built a decades-long career on a family-friendly style of comedy.

All the allegations but Constand's were too old to be the subject of criminal prosecution, which prompted the seven women to sue for defamation when Cosby accused them of lying.

"Each Plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement," attorneys for Cosby said in papers filed in US District Court in Springfield, Massachusetts, near one of Cosby's homes. They did not disclose the terms of the agreement.

The defamation suit was filed in December 2014. One of the seven, Louisa Moritz, an actress best known for appearing in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," died in January at age 72.

The other plaintiffs were Barbara Bowman, who said she was a 17-year-old aspiring actress when she was assaulted in 1985; Tamara Green, who said she was a young model in the early 1970s when she was attacked; actress Angela Leslie, who said her attack took place in 1992; Therese Serignese, now a registered nurse who said she was 19 when she was attacked in 1976; Joan Tarshis, who said she was 19 at the time of her attack in 1969; and Linda Traitz, who said she was an 18-year-old waitress when she became a victim in 1969.

Cosby has denied the accusations and maintained his innocence.

Convicted sex offender Bill Cosby on Friday settled a federal defamation lawsuit brought by seven women who said the former actor and comedian sexually assaulted them and wrongly called them liars when they went public with their charges years later.

Convicted sex offender Bill Cosby on Friday settled a federal defamation lawsuit brought by seven women who said the former actor and comedian sexually assaulted them and wrongly called them liars when they went public with their charges years later. The settlement ends a court fight that predates the 81-year-old's conviction a year ago for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University administrator, in 2004. Cosby is currently serving a 3- to 10-year sentence for that crime, though his lawyers plan an appeal. He was the first celebrity convicted of sexual misconduct since the rise of the #MeToo movement, which cast a harsh light on widespread patterns of sexual harassment or abuse in multiple spheres of American life and ended the careers of dozens of powerful men in American media, politics and business. The settlement covers seven of some 50 women who emerged over the past decade to level sex abuse charges against the once-beloved star of "The Cosby Show," who built a decades-long career on a family-friendly style of comedy. All the allegations but Constand's were too old to be the subject of criminal prosecution, which prompted the seven women to sue for defamation when Cosby accused them of lying. "Each Plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement," attorneys for Cosby said in papers filed in US District Court in Springfield, Massachusetts, near one of Cosby's homes. They did not disclose the terms of the agreement. The defamation suit was filed in December 2014. One of the seven, Louisa Moritz, an actress best known for appearing in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," died in January at age 72. The other plaintiffs were Barbara Bowman, who said she was a 17-year-old aspiring actress when she was assaulted in 1985; Tamara Green, who said she was a young model in the early 1970s when she was attacked; actress Angela Leslie, who said her attack took place in 1992; Therese Serignese, now a registered nurse who said she was 19 when she was attacked in 1976; Joan Tarshis, who said she was 19 at the time of her attack in 1969; and Linda Traitz, who said she was an 18-year-old waitress when she became a victim in 1969. Cosby has denied the accusations and maintained his innocence.

Bill Cosby settles defamation lawsuit brought by seven women

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.

Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair.

"I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine.

"He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added.&nbsp;

"My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me."

It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April.

Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was "pleased" to support Flores's candidacy, but does not recall the incident.

"Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said in a statement.

He added that Biden "believes that Ms Flores has every right to share her own recollections and reflections and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so."

Biden's overly familiar approach with women has been a subject of discussion for years.&nbsp;

He has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of new defence secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015.

Biden's behaviour is receiving renewed attention in the #MeToo era when the movement against sexual assault has led to the downfall of dozens of politicians, entertainment figures and businessmen.

At a Democratic Party dinner in Delaware this month, he acknowledged how his physical style has raised questions.

"I'm a tactile politician, always have been. That's what gets me in trouble as well," Biden said.

Flores wrote that the celebrated Democrat ignores the "power imbalance" that exists between Biden and the women he touches.

"Even if his behaviour wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," she added.

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event. Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair. "I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine. "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added. "My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me." It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April. Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was "pleased" to support Flores's candidacy, but does not recall the incident. "Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said in a statement. He added that Biden "believes that Ms Flores has every right to share her own recollections and reflections and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so." Biden's overly familiar approach with women has been a subject of discussion for years. He has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of new defence secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015. Biden's behaviour is receiving renewed attention in the #MeToo era when the movement against sexual assault has led to the downfall of dozens of politicians, entertainment figures and businessmen. At a Democratic Party dinner in Delaware this month, he acknowledged how his physical style has raised questions. "I'm a tactile politician, always have been. That's what gets me in trouble as well," Biden said. Flores wrote that the celebrated Democrat ignores the "power imbalance" that exists between Biden and the women he touches. "Even if his behaviour wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," she added.

Ex-lawmaker says Joe Biden inappropriately touched her in 2014

It is the first Marvel female superhero movie, steered by an Oscar-winning actor, equally known for being a vocal women's rights activist. It is also the first time a female director, Anna Boden, is driving a superhero film in Marvel's stable with her "equal" collaborator of 20 years, Ryan Fleck.&nbsp; 
Larson, in an interview in Singapore, had told PTI that the film gave her a bigger platform to talk about feminism, a cause close to her heart. 
"I feel so lucky that I made my first blockbuster movie and I just get to talk about feminism all day.

&nbsp;I never would have thought that was like a possibility for me. That's like my dream," the actor said last month.

Boden said as challenging as directing the film was, it was also empowering to be at the helm of big studio production.&nbsp;

She, however, hoped that there comes a time when a female director for a superhero film becomes a norm rather than an exception. 
 
"It's 2019... And everybody here looks for the day when it is not newsworthy that a woman is directing this kind of movie," she said at press conference in Singapore.

The theatrical release in India and the US on International Women's Day is an obvious move but the film is clear in its projection and reflection of a world that is going through campaigns like Time's Up.

But the risks, no matter how calculated, cannot be ignored.

It is the first attempt at a studio film as big as Marvel for the directors, who have indie, character-driven films like "Half Nelson" and "Mississippi Grind" to their credit.&nbsp;

Shouldering a stand-alone introductory film of a female hero in the aftermath of Harvey Weinstein scandal is a big responsibility.

The director duo said they did an "all expenses paid" course at 'Marvel University', where they were supported by the team well-versed with the MCU history, which was unfamiliar terrain for them.

Despite the training, directing "Captain Marvel" was a "scary and humbling" experience for Boden though the directors don't feel any obligation towards "Endgame" where Captain Marvel is already set to play an integral role as the post-credit scenes in "Infinity War" revealed.

"Honestly, since they won't tell us anything about 'Avengers'? They have a lock and key on that, we feel no commitment and responsibility to that movie at all. We're just focused on our movie," she told PTI.

The film spells out its goal, clearly aided by dialogues that check all the trending words - feminism, female representation, diversity, racism and xenophobia moulded in signature Marvel-esque humour.

The world of "Captain Marvel" is populated by Samuel L Jackson's younger, simpler Nick Fury; multi-layered women in Gemma Chan's no-nonsense Min-Nerva, Lashana Lynch's instinctive Maria, Annette Bening's double stunner, Jude Law's focused Yon-Rogg and Ben Mendelsohn's Talos who one ends up rooting for.

But what helps the film most is Larson's earnestness as the new hero on the horizon, who is capable of taking on Thanos in "Endgame".&nbsp;

The film has its flaws like the character herself, but she is a suitable role model for female fans of the superhero genre.&nbsp;

All in all, a Marvel fan will walk out from the theatres with lots of trivia and '90s nostalgia.

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the views published by the News Agency PTI, and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

It is the first Marvel female superhero movie, steered by an Oscar-winning actor, equally known for being a vocal women's rights activist. It is also the first time a female director, Anna Boden, is driving a superhero film in Marvel's stable with her "equal" collaborator of 20 years, Ryan Fleck.

It is the first Marvel female superhero movie, steered by an Oscar-winning actor, equally known for being a vocal women's rights activist. It is also the first time a female director, Anna Boden, is driving a superhero film in Marvel's stable with her "equal" collaborator of 20 years, Ryan Fleck. Larson, in an interview in Singapore, had told PTI that the film gave her a bigger platform to talk about feminism, a cause close to her heart. "I feel so lucky that I made my first blockbuster movie and I just get to talk about feminism all day. I never would have thought that was like a possibility for me. That's like my dream," the actor said last month. Boden said as challenging as directing the film was, it was also empowering to be at the helm of big studio production. She, however, hoped that there comes a time when a female director for a superhero film becomes a norm rather than an exception. "It's 2019... And everybody here looks for the day when it is not newsworthy that a woman is directing this kind of movie," she said at press conference in Singapore. The theatrical release in India and the US on International Women's Day is an obvious move but the film is clear in its projection and reflection of a world that is going through campaigns like Time's Up. But the risks, no matter how calculated, cannot be ignored. It is the first attempt at a studio film as big as Marvel for the directors, who have indie, character-driven films like "Half Nelson" and "Mississippi Grind" to their credit. Shouldering a stand-alone introductory film of a female hero in the aftermath of Harvey Weinstein scandal is a big responsibility. The director duo said they did an "all expenses paid" course at 'Marvel University', where they were supported by the team well-versed with the MCU history, which was unfamiliar terrain for them. Despite the training, directing "Captain Marvel" was a "scary and humbling" experience for Boden though the directors don't feel any obligation towards "Endgame" where Captain Marvel is already set to play an integral role as the post-credit scenes in "Infinity War" revealed. "Honestly, since they won't tell us anything about 'Avengers'? They have a lock and key on that, we feel no commitment and responsibility to that movie at all. We're just focused on our movie," she told PTI. The film spells out its goal, clearly aided by dialogues that check all the trending words - feminism, female representation, diversity, racism and xenophobia moulded in signature Marvel-esque humour. The world of "Captain Marvel" is populated by Samuel L Jackson's younger, simpler Nick Fury; multi-layered women in Gemma Chan's no-nonsense Min-Nerva, Lashana Lynch's instinctive Maria, Annette Bening's double stunner, Jude Law's focused Yon-Rogg and Ben Mendelsohn's Talos who one ends up rooting for. But what helps the film most is Larson's earnestness as the new hero on the horizon, who is capable of taking on Thanos in "Endgame". The film has its flaws like the character herself, but she is a suitable role model for female fans of the superhero genre. All in all, a Marvel fan will walk out from the theatres with lots of trivia and '90s nostalgia. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the views published by the News Agency PTI, and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

'Captain Marvel' makes timely landing in post #MeToo Hollywood

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani in the defamation case filed by former Union Minister MJ Akbar over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him. &nbsp;

According to reports, Ramani was granted bail on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. The court will hear the matter next on March 8.&nbsp;

Journalist Priya Ramani, the first woman to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement, appeared before the Patiala House Court today.

After the court proceedings, Ramani spoke to media and said that the truth is in her defence.&nbsp;

"The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence," she said.&nbsp;

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Delhi's Patiala House Court grants bail to journalist Priya Ramani on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. Next date of hearing is 8 March. <a href="https://t.co/nOgqS9Bg6G">https://t.co/nOgqS9Bg6G</a>
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Ramani was summoned as an accused in the case filed by Akbar against her on January 29.&nbsp;

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Journalist Priya Ramani after being granted bail by Patiala House Court in connection with criminal defamation complaint by MJ Akbar: The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence. <a href="https://t.co/mxRadNVYua">pic.twitter.com/mxRadNVYua</a>
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On January 11, three more witnesses in the case recorded their statements in the court. In total, seven people (including Akbar) have recorded their statements in the criminal defamation complaint, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Akbar resigned as the Minister of State for External Affairs in October 2018 after Ramani and other women accused him of sexual harassment.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani in the defamation case filed by former Union Minister MJ Akbar over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him.

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani in the defamation case filed by former Union Minister MJ Akbar over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him. According to reports, Ramani was granted bail on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. The court will hear the matter next on March 8. Journalist Priya Ramani, the first woman to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement, appeared before the Patiala House Court today. After the court proceedings, Ramani spoke to media and said that the truth is in her defence. "The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence," she said. Delhi's Patiala House Court grants bail to journalist Priya Ramani on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. Next date of hearing is 8 March. https://t.co/nOgqS9Bg6G — ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 × Ramani was summoned as an accused in the case filed by Akbar against her on January 29. Journalist Priya Ramani after being granted bail by Patiala House Court in connection with criminal defamation complaint by MJ Akbar: The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence. pic.twitter.com/mxRadNVYua — ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 × On January 11, three more witnesses in the case recorded their statements in the court. In total, seven people (including Akbar) have recorded their statements in the criminal defamation complaint, news agency ANI reported. Akbar resigned as the Minister of State for External Affairs in October 2018 after Ramani and other women accused him of sexual harassment. (With inputs from ANI)

MJ Akbar defamation case: Delhi court grants bail to accused journalist Priya Ramani, next hearing on March 8

A Delhi court Tuesday reserved for January 29 its order on whether to summon journalist Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal reserved the order after listening to arguments from Akbar's lawyer, who said a prima facie case was made out against Ramani.

Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on October 17 last year, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media when he was in Nigeria as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India.

Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, which was denied by him.

The court had on January 11 recorded the statements of three more witnesses in support of the case filed by Akbar.

The three witnesses -- Tapan Chaki, Manjar Ali and Rachna Grover -- who were associated with Akbar deposed before the court, saying they were extremely "distressed and dismayed" as grave damage has been caused to his reputation due to the allegations.

It had earlier recorded the statements of Akbar and Joyeeta Basu, the editor of Sunday Guardian, in the matter.

Akbar had told the court in his statement that an "immediate damage" has been caused to him due to the "scurrilous", concocted and false allegations of sexual misconduct.

Multiple women have come out with accounts of alleged sexual harassment by him while he was working as a journalist.

He had termed the allegations "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against them.

Expressing her readiness to fight the defamation allegations, Ramani had said, "Rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment."&nbsp;

A Delhi court Tuesday reserved for January 29 its order on whether to summon journalist Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

A Delhi court Tuesday reserved for January 29 its order on whether to summon journalist Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal reserved the order after listening to arguments from Akbar's lawyer, who said a prima facie case was made out against Ramani. Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on October 17 last year, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media when he was in Nigeria as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, which was denied by him. The court had on January 11 recorded the statements of three more witnesses in support of the case filed by Akbar. The three witnesses -- Tapan Chaki, Manjar Ali and Rachna Grover -- who were associated with Akbar deposed before the court, saying they were extremely "distressed and dismayed" as grave damage has been caused to his reputation due to the allegations. It had earlier recorded the statements of Akbar and Joyeeta Basu, the editor of Sunday Guardian, in the matter. Akbar had told the court in his statement that an "immediate damage" has been caused to him due to the "scurrilous", concocted and false allegations of sexual misconduct. Multiple women have come out with accounts of alleged sexual harassment by him while he was working as a journalist. He had termed the allegations "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against them. Expressing her readiness to fight the defamation allegations, Ramani had said, "Rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment."

Court reserves order on summoning scribe as accused in defamation case filed by MJ Akbar

Filmmaker <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rajkumar-hirani-film-director-of-bollywood-says-it-is-a-new-golden-age-of-films-171011">Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault</a> by a woman who worked with him on his 2017 film "Sanju".

Hirani has categorically denied the allegations. His lawyer Anand Desai termed the allegations "false, mischievous, scandalous, motivated and defamatory".

In an article on HuffPost India, the woman, who calls herself "an assistant", alleged that Hirani sexually abused her more than once between March and September 2018.

She detailed her allegations in an email dated November 3, 2018, to Hirani's longtime collaborator and "Sanju" co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

The woman said that on April 9, 2018, the director first passed a sexually suggestive remark to her and later sexually assaulted her at his home office.

"I remember forming these words on my lips - 'Sir, This is wrong. Because of this power structure. You being the absolute power and me being a mere assistant, a nobody - I will never be able to express myself to you'," she wrote of the April 9 incident in the email to Chopra, as quoted by the article.

The woman said that Hirani was a father figure for her.

"My mind, body and heart were grossly violated that night and for the next 6 months," the email read.

Chopra's wife, film critic Anupama, who is a director at Vinod Chopra Films Pvt Ltd, "Sanju" scriptwriter Abhijat Joshi and filmmaker Shelly Chopra, Vidhu Vinod's sister, were also marked on the email.

The complainant later said to HuffPost India that she was "intimidated by Hirani", who was her reporting person at the time.&nbsp;

She said she maintained a facade of normalcy regarding Hirani's behaviour as she needed to hold on to her job as her father was suffering from a terminal illness.

"I had no choice but to be polite to him. It was unbearable but the reason I endured it all, until I couldn't, was because I didn't want my job to be taken away from me, and work to be questioned. Ever."

"I was worried that if I left midway, it would be impossible to find another job in this industry if he were to speak badly about my work. Because if Hirani said I wasn't good, everybody would listen. My future would be in jeopardy," she said.

Anupama Chopra had confirmed that the woman had shared an account with her and that Vinod Chopra Films (VCF) has since set up a committee to address complaints of sexual harassment.

"I have offered my full support and recommended that she take the complaint to a legal body or a neutral party since we cannot be arbitrators or judges on this. "We also offered to set up an ICC at VCF (which we have set up since then) even though a VCF ICC could not have taken up the case since she was an RHF (Rajkumar Hirani Films) employee at the time. These are two separate companies," she said in an email dated December 5, 2018.

Anupama said the woman told her she needed time to think about how to take things forward.

She added, "I did not want in any way to pressurise her or steer her in any direction. As Vinod and I told her then, she has our full support and we are fully respectful of whatever decision she has taken."

The development comes close on the heels of Hirani's name been dropped from the new poster and trailer of "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga", directed by Shelly Chopra.

A still from the film's teaser, which released on 27 June, 2018, carried Hirani's name as co-producer. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has not yet commented.&nbsp;

Hirani's is the latest name to be called out in India's #MeToo storm, which has engulfed many a stalwart such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan and former Union minister MJ Akbar, among others.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him on his 2017 film "Sanju". Hirani has categorically denied the allegations.

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him on his 2017 film "Sanju". Hirani has categorically denied the allegations. His lawyer Anand Desai termed the allegations "false, mischievous, scandalous, motivated and defamatory". In an article on HuffPost India, the woman, who calls herself "an assistant", alleged that Hirani sexually abused her more than once between March and September 2018. She detailed her allegations in an email dated November 3, 2018, to Hirani's longtime collaborator and "Sanju" co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The woman said that on April 9, 2018, the director first passed a sexually suggestive remark to her and later sexually assaulted her at his home office. "I remember forming these words on my lips - 'Sir, This is wrong. Because of this power structure. You being the absolute power and me being a mere assistant, a nobody - I will never be able to express myself to you'," she wrote of the April 9 incident in the email to Chopra, as quoted by the article. The woman said that Hirani was a father figure for her. "My mind, body and heart were grossly violated that night and for the next 6 months," the email read. Chopra's wife, film critic Anupama, who is a director at Vinod Chopra Films Pvt Ltd, "Sanju" scriptwriter Abhijat Joshi and filmmaker Shelly Chopra, Vidhu Vinod's sister, were also marked on the email. The complainant later said to HuffPost India that she was "intimidated by Hirani", who was her reporting person at the time. She said she maintained a facade of normalcy regarding Hirani's behaviour as she needed to hold on to her job as her father was suffering from a terminal illness. "I had no choice but to be polite to him. It was unbearable but the reason I endured it all, until I couldn't, was because I didn't want my job to be taken away from me, and work to be questioned. Ever." "I was worried that if I left midway, it would be impossible to find another job in this industry if he were to speak badly about my work. Because if Hirani said I wasn't good, everybody would listen. My future would be in jeopardy," she said. Anupama Chopra had confirmed that the woman had shared an account with her and that Vinod Chopra Films (VCF) has since set up a committee to address complaints of sexual harassment. "I have offered my full support and recommended that she take the complaint to a legal body or a neutral party since we cannot be arbitrators or judges on this. "We also offered to set up an ICC at VCF (which we have set up since then) even though a VCF ICC could not have taken up the case since she was an RHF (Rajkumar Hirani Films) employee at the time. These are two separate companies," she said in an email dated December 5, 2018. Anupama said the woman told her she needed time to think about how to take things forward. She added, "I did not want in any way to pressurise her or steer her in any direction. As Vinod and I told her then, she has our full support and we are fully respectful of whatever decision she has taken." The development comes close on the heels of Hirani's name been dropped from the new poster and trailer of "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga", directed by Shelly Chopra. A still from the film's teaser, which released on 27 June, 2018, carried Hirani's name as co-producer. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has not yet commented. Hirani's is the latest name to be called out in India's #MeToo storm, which has engulfed many a stalwart such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan and former Union minister MJ Akbar, among others.

#MeToo: Rajkumar Hirani accused of sexual assault, film-maker denies allegation

Tired of seeing their holy texts used to justify the subjugation of women, a group of feminist theologians from across the Protestant-Catholic divide have joined forces to draft "A Women's Bible".

As the #MeToo movement continues to expose sexual abuse across cultures and industries, some scholars of Christianity are clamouring for a reckoning with biblical interpretations they say have entrenched negative images of women.

The women we know from translations and interpretations of Bible texts are servants, prostitutes or saints, seen dancing for a king or kneeling to kiss Jesus' feet.

But while many feminists have called for The Bible, Christianity and religion altogether to be cast aside, an eclectic group of theologians instead insists that if interpreted properly, the Good Book can be a tool for promoting women's emancipation.

'Feminist values'

"Feminist values and reading the Bible are not incompatible," insisted Lauriane Savoy, one of two Geneva theology professors behind the push to draft "Une Bible des Femmes" ("A Women's Bible"), which was published in October.

The professor at the Theology Faculty in Geneva, which was established by the father of Calvinism himself in 1559, said the idea for the work came after she and her colleague Elisabeth Parmentier noticed how little most people knew or understood of the biblical texts.

"A lot of people thought they were completely outdated with no relevance to today's values of equality," the 33-year-old said, standing under the towering sculptures of Jean Calvin and other Protestant founders on the University of Geneva campus.

In a bid to counter such notions, Savoy and Parmentier, 57, joined forces with 18 other woman theologians from a range of countries and Christian denominations.

The scholars have created a collection of texts challenging traditional interpretations of Bible scriptures that cast women characters as weak and subordinate to the men around them.

Parmentier points to a passage in the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus visits two sisters, Martha and Mary.

"It says that Martha ensures the "service", which has been interpreted to mean that she served the food, but the Greek word diakonia can also have other meanings, for instance it could mean she was a deacon," she pointed out.

Overturning religious orthodoxy

They are not the first to provide a more women-friendly reading of the scriptures.

Already back in 1898, American suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a committee of 26 other women drafted "The Woman's Bible", aimed at overturning religious orthodoxy that women should be subservient to men.

The two Geneva theology professors say they were inspired by that work, and had initially planned to simply translate it to French.

But after determining that the 120-year-old text was too outdated, they decided to create a new work that could resonate in the 21st century.

"We wanted to work in an ecumenical way," Parmentier said, stressing that around half the women involved in the project are Catholic and the other half from a number of branches of Protestantism.

In the introduction to the "Women's Bible", the authors said that the chapters were meant to "scrutinise shifts in the Christian tradition, things that have remained concealed, tendentious translations, partial interpretations."

'Lingering patriarchal readings'

They take to task "the lingering patriarchal readings that have justified numerous restrictions and bans on women," the authors wrote.

Savoy said that Mary Magdalene, "the female character who appears the most in the Gospels", had been given a raw deal in many common interpretations of the texts.

"She stood by Jesus, including as he was dying on the cross, when all of the male disciples were afraid. She was the first one to go to his tomb and to discover his resurrection," she pointed out.

"This is a fundamental character, but she is described as a prostitute, ... and even as Jesus's lover in recent fiction."

The scholars also go to great lengths to place the texts in their historical context.

"We are fighting against a literal reading of the texts," Parmentier said, pointing for instance to letters sent by Saint Paul to nascent Christian communities.

Reading passages from those letters, which could easily be construed as radically anti-feminist, as instructions for how women should be treated today is insane, she said.

"It's like taking a letter someone sends to give advice as being valid for all eternity."

The theologians' texts also approach the Bible through different themes, like the body, seduction, motherhood and subordination.

The authors say they consider their work a useful tool in the age of #MeToo.

"Each chapter addresses existential questions for women, questions they are still asking themselves today," Parmentier said.

"While some say that you have to throw out the Bible to be a feminist, we believe the opposite."

Tired of seeing their holy texts used to justify the subjugation of women, a group of feminist theologians from across the Protestant-Catholic divide have joined forces to draft "A Women's Bible".

Tired of seeing their holy texts used to justify the subjugation of women, a group of feminist theologians from across the Protestant-Catholic divide have joined forces to draft "A Women's Bible". As the #MeToo movement continues to expose sexual abuse across cultures and industries, some scholars of Christianity are clamouring for a reckoning with biblical interpretations they say have entrenched negative images of women. The women we know from translations and interpretations of Bible texts are servants, prostitutes or saints, seen dancing for a king or kneeling to kiss Jesus' feet. But while many feminists have called for The Bible, Christianity and religion altogether to be cast aside, an eclectic group of theologians instead insists that if interpreted properly, the Good Book can be a tool for promoting women's emancipation. 'Feminist values' "Feminist values and reading the Bible are not incompatible," insisted Lauriane Savoy, one of two Geneva theology professors behind the push to draft "Une Bible des Femmes" ("A Women's Bible"), which was published in October. The professor at the Theology Faculty in Geneva, which was established by the father of Calvinism himself in 1559, said the idea for the work came after she and her colleague Elisabeth Parmentier noticed how little most people knew or understood of the biblical texts. "A lot of people thought they were completely outdated with no relevance to today's values of equality," the 33-year-old said, standing under the towering sculptures of Jean Calvin and other Protestant founders on the University of Geneva campus. In a bid to counter such notions, Savoy and Parmentier, 57, joined forces with 18 other woman theologians from a range of countries and Christian denominations. The scholars have created a collection of texts challenging traditional interpretations of Bible scriptures that cast women characters as weak and subordinate to the men around them. Parmentier points to a passage in the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus visits two sisters, Martha and Mary. "It says that Martha ensures the "service", which has been interpreted to mean that she served the food, but the Greek word diakonia can also have other meanings, for instance it could mean she was a deacon," she pointed out. Overturning religious orthodoxy They are not the first to provide a more women-friendly reading of the scriptures. Already back in 1898, American suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a committee of 26 other women drafted "The Woman's Bible", aimed at overturning religious orthodoxy that women should be subservient to men. The two Geneva theology professors say they were inspired by that work, and had initially planned to simply translate it to French. But after determining that the 120-year-old text was too outdated, they decided to create a new work that could resonate in the 21st century. "We wanted to work in an ecumenical way," Parmentier said, stressing that around half the women involved in the project are Catholic and the other half from a number of branches of Protestantism. In the introduction to the "Women's Bible", the authors said that the chapters were meant to "scrutinise shifts in the Christian tradition, things that have remained concealed, tendentious translations, partial interpretations." 'Lingering patriarchal readings' They take to task "the lingering patriarchal readings that have justified numerous restrictions and bans on women," the authors wrote. Savoy said that Mary Magdalene, "the female character who appears the most in the Gospels", had been given a raw deal in many common interpretations of the texts. "She stood by Jesus, including as he was dying on the cross, when all of the male disciples were afraid. She was the first one to go to his tomb and to discover his resurrection," she pointed out. "This is a fundamental character, but she is described as a prostitute, ... and even as Jesus's lover in recent fiction." The scholars also go to great lengths to place the texts in their historical context. "We are fighting against a literal reading of the texts," Parmentier said, pointing for instance to letters sent by Saint Paul to nascent Christian communities. Reading passages from those letters, which could easily be construed as radically anti-feminist, as instructions for how women should be treated today is insane, she said. "It's like taking a letter someone sends to give advice as being valid for all eternity." The theologians' texts also approach the Bible through different themes, like the body, seduction, motherhood and subordination. The authors say they consider their work a useful tool in the age of #MeToo. "Each chapter addresses existential questions for women, questions they are still asking themselves today," Parmentier said. "While some say that you have to throw out the Bible to be a feminist, we believe the opposite."

In the #MeToo era, theologians publish 'Women's Bible'

Tens of thousands of people rallied across Europe on Saturday against sexual violence, with more than 30,000 turning out in Paris.

Demonstrations across France drew around 50,000 people in all, according to organiser Caroline de Haas, to answer a citizen collective's call for a "feminist tidal wave" of outrage against gender violence brought into sharp focus by the #MeToo movement.

Elsewhere, a thousand people braved driving rain in Rome while similar protests drew several hundred demonstrators in Geneva and Athens on the eve of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Sunday.

"The fight against violence against women is progressing daily but our society has a long way to go &nbsp;-- everyone must act and fight as this is everybody's business," President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in offering his moral support.

Authorities put the Paris turnout at 12,000 and similar marches in Lyon, Marseille and Rennes at between 1,000 and 2,400, but De Haas felt moved to salute "the largest (feminist) mobilisation France has known", far bigger than a rally that drew some 2,000 last year.

Participants clad in purple, the colour of the #NousToutes women's activist protest movement, shouted slogans including "sick of rape", "end impunity for aggressors" and "a woman is never responsible for the violence she suffers", while also demanding sufficient government resources to tackle the issue.

"I am here to support all the victims and continue this struggle which started long before I came along," said French actress Muriel Robin, who had organised a similar rally last month in the capital.

<img alt="Protests to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="789d3b33-a898-4f46-bcc0-0ba74ea9c355" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1B29AP.jpg" />

<img alt="Protests to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ca7d980-26cd-4874-9ade-8f4e40969dcf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1B319D%20%281%29.jpg" />

<img alt="Protests to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fdc1759a-15cf-4d03-9547-29716e263a5a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29_0.jpg" />

Rise in violence cases

The rallies drew a number of men, including Tanguy, a 19-year-old student who turned out in the western city of Rennes to declare backing for "a movement which is not based on sex -- it's not a fight pitting men against women but a fight by men and women, together, against inequality."

The #NousToutes movement started out in France in September, inspired by the #MeToo campaign that began last year since when the number of cases of sexual violence reported to police in France has risen 23 per cent.

Latest French government figures say 2017 saw 225,000 cases of domestic violence against women by their partners while 2016 saw 123 deaths.

Further marches are planned for Sunday in a number of cities across Europe to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Macron last year made sexual equality a priority of his presidency.

But "if the money is not forthcoming public policy won't follow on", warned De Haas, speaking two days after several civil organisations called for a huge increase in public resources dedicated to the problem.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced on Saturday that an online platform for reporting sexual violence and sexism will be launched on Tuesday.

"This is the first milestone, technical and political, to eradicate" violence, said he said in a Facebook post.

"From now, a few clicks can help everyone make a new start: for themselves, for their family. And perhaps avoid the worst."

Tens of thousands of people rallied across Europe on Saturday against sexual violence, with more than 30,000 turning out in Paris. Demonstrations across France drew around 50,000 people in all, according to organiser Caroline de Haas, to answer a citizen collective's call for a "feminist tidal wave" of outrage against gender violence brought into sharp focus by the #MeToo movement.

Tens of thousands of people rallied across Europe on Saturday against sexual violence, with more than 30,000 turning out in Paris. Demonstrations across France drew around 50,000 people in all, according to organiser Caroline de Haas, to answer a citizen collective's call for a "feminist tidal wave" of outrage against gender violence brought into sharp focus by the #MeToo movement. Elsewhere, a thousand people braved driving rain in Rome while similar protests drew several hundred demonstrators in Geneva and Athens on the eve of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Sunday. "The fight against violence against women is progressing daily but our society has a long way to go -- everyone must act and fight as this is everybody's business," President Emmanuel Macron tweeted in offering his moral support. Authorities put the Paris turnout at 12,000 and similar marches in Lyon, Marseille and Rennes at between 1,000 and 2,400, but De Haas felt moved to salute "the largest (feminist) mobilisation France has known", far bigger than a rally that drew some 2,000 last year. Participants clad in purple, the colour of the #NousToutes women's activist protest movement, shouted slogans including "sick of rape", "end impunity for aggressors" and "a woman is never responsible for the violence she suffers", while also demanding sufficient government resources to tackle the issue. "I am here to support all the victims and continue this struggle which started long before I came along," said French actress Muriel Robin, who had organised a similar rally last month in the capital. Rise in violence cases The rallies drew a number of men, including Tanguy, a 19-year-old student who turned out in the western city of Rennes to declare backing for "a movement which is not based on sex -- it's not a fight pitting men against women but a fight by men and women, together, against inequality." The #NousToutes movement started out in France in September, inspired by the #MeToo campaign that began last year since when the number of cases of sexual violence reported to police in France has risen 23 per cent. Latest French government figures say 2017 saw 225,000 cases of domestic violence against women by their partners while 2016 saw 123 deaths. Further marches are planned for Sunday in a number of cities across Europe to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Macron last year made sexual equality a priority of his presidency. But "if the money is not forthcoming public policy won't follow on", warned De Haas, speaking two days after several civil organisations called for a huge increase in public resources dedicated to the problem. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced on Saturday that an online platform for reporting sexual violence and sexism will be launched on Tuesday. "This is the first milestone, technical and political, to eradicate" violence, said he said in a Facebook post. "From now, a few clicks can help everyone make a new start: for themselves, for their family. And perhaps avoid the worst."

Thousands protest in 'feminist tidal wave' against sexual violence

What the judgment of the Supreme Court in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) did not do; what even the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (“Act”) did not do; the #MeToo movement has done – which is to wake up every corporate entity in India to take sexual harassment as a serious malady and not merely a thorn in its side.

The recent spurt of awareness programmes at workplaces; hasty formulation of complaints processes; hushed but expedited setting up of Internal Complaints Committee (“ICC”), are all welcome momentum in the inertia-ridden corporate world.

Not surprisingly, the natural knee-jerk reaction to anything disruptive and the consequent overreach have also already reared its head. Many a corporate romance does end up in a lifelong relationship and even if they don’t, it is still a consensual relationship between adults who may decide the course of such events. A query at a recent panel discussion on #MeToo and corporate romances highlighted the fear factor that now permeates corporates and male colleagues alike.

The larger threat to women appears to be the possibility of employers shunning them, as a risk element in workplaces or worse mollycoddling women employees in their fear of any “stigma” impacting the corporate entity. Equally unfortunate that many companies appear to have resorted to play it safe than be sorry by “banning” romances or at least subjecting them to monitoring. Apart from policies mandating disclosure of personal relationships amounting to blatant violation of privacy, it also brings in the “chilling effect” at workplaces.

Knowing the Laxman Rekha for sexual harassment is expedient to avoid such excessive or regressive actions.

Sexual harassment in the eyes of law: The Act sets out an inclusive definition for sexual harassment but the Criminal provisions under S.354A Indian Penal Code is limited to specific actions. Of these, unwelcome physical contact and advances, explicit sexual overtures, demand or request for sexual favours and showing pornography against the will of a woman carry a more stringent punishment of three years, as opposed to making sexually coloured remarks, which is punishable with one year imprisonment.

In addition, a person in a fiduciary relationship abusing his authority to induce or seduce a woman in his custody or charge or even present in the premises to have sexual intercourse, which may not amount to rape is also an offence punishable under S.376C IPC with six years imprisonment.

Against this, the Sexual Harassment Act provides an open-ended inclusive definition. Implied or explicit promises of preferential treatment or threat of detrimental treatment including in present or future, in employment; interference with her work; creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment; humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety are all acts amounting to sexual harassment under the Act.

Corporate policies for internal penal actions may, therefore, be more stringent than those under IPC for initiation of criminal prosecution. These, however, would have to be explicitly set out in the human resources policies to support such initiation of action. Any corporate action against culprits would have to be preceded by an inquiry by ICC.

Women — not just employees — protected: Corporate policies need to take into account that it is not just women employees but “any woman” present at a “workplace” who is protected under the Act. The Act is gender-specific to “women”, as victims but is gender neutral with respect to the perpetrator, i.e., complaint against a woman may be entertained for commission of sexual harassment against another woman, subject however to other provisions being applicable.

Workplace &amp; The Act: In today’s hyper-connected world every place in effect would become a workplace. The Sexual Harassment Act itself expands the workplace not just to the office premises but also to places visited by employees in the course of employment including transportation provided by the employer. It would therefore include even online workspaces.

Purpose &amp; its implementation: With the application of the Sexual Harassment Act extending to any woman present in a “workplace”, enforcing excessive or possibly restrictive protections to women employees is clearly misplaced. Similarly, placing employees in different hotels or mandating travel by co-workers on different vehicles reeks of segregation processes in schools and colleges. If not anything else it certainly demonstrates abject lack of trust. Most significantly, none of these actions, including restraining or restricting office romances or travels together or other regressive processes is likely to protect against commission of an act of sexual harassment. 
 
Short of restricting all forms of communication between the two genders, which clearly is not just impractical but impossible, there is no way for corporates to create Chinese walls to protect against complaints of sexual harassment – for a man may commit an offence against a woman employee (yes the law is gender specific) or against a non-employee. If the act is committed at a “workplace”, which could even be a coffee shop where a meeting is being held or even during a conference call, the ICC of the entity is required to entertain the complaint.

It is imperative for corporates to understand that the law is not “against” them. Nor is it intended to become yet another restrictive and regressive step for women. It is intended as a facilitator for women to freely venture out and be part of the workforce. The law is for and about women. Experience has taught us that any attempt at keeping statistics “clean" will only defeat the purpose behind an enactment.

Registration of a complaint with the ICC is not a blot on a corporate entity or a stigma. On the contrary, it reflects the robustness of its sexual harassment policies and implementation. It is not important to protect adults against each other especially against their natural urges or choices. The decisions of the Supreme Court from the Privacy judgment to the recent strike down of adultery as a Criminal offence demonstrate the need to protect an adult’s consensual choice. 
 
The need of the hour for companies is to, therefore, put in place effective processes for undertaking complaints of sexual harassment boldly and transparently and to ensure speedy and just disposals. The measure of a company’s worth or safe workplace may probably now depend not on a “clean slate” with no complaints registered but of effective, speedy and conscientious handling of sexual harassment complaints, which is a more plausible measure. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-metoo-for-corporate-world-2686760">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

What the judgment of the Supreme Court in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) did not do; what even the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (“Act”) did not do; the #MeToo movement has done – which is to wake up every corporate entity in India to take sexual harassment as a serious malady and not merely a thorn in its side.

What the judgment of the Supreme Court in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) did not do; what even the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (“Act”) did not do; the #MeToo movement has done – which is to wake up every corporate entity in India to take sexual harassment as a serious malady and not merely a thorn in its side. The recent spurt of awareness programmes at workplaces; hasty formulation of complaints processes; hushed but expedited setting up of Internal Complaints Committee (“ICC”), are all welcome momentum in the inertia-ridden corporate world. Not surprisingly, the natural knee-jerk reaction to anything disruptive and the consequent overreach have also already reared its head. Many a corporate romance does end up in a lifelong relationship and even if they don’t, it is still a consensual relationship between adults who may decide the course of such events. A query at a recent panel discussion on #MeToo and corporate romances highlighted the fear factor that now permeates corporates and male colleagues alike. The larger threat to women appears to be the possibility of employers shunning them, as a risk element in workplaces or worse mollycoddling women employees in their fear of any “stigma” impacting the corporate entity. Equally unfortunate that many companies appear to have resorted to play it safe than be sorry by “banning” romances or at least subjecting them to monitoring. Apart from policies mandating disclosure of personal relationships amounting to blatant violation of privacy, it also brings in the “chilling effect” at workplaces. Knowing the Laxman Rekha for sexual harassment is expedient to avoid such excessive or regressive actions. Sexual harassment in the eyes of law: The Act sets out an inclusive definition for sexual harassment but the Criminal provisions under S.354A Indian Penal Code is limited to specific actions. Of these, unwelcome physical contact and advances, explicit sexual overtures, demand or request for sexual favours and showing pornography against the will of a woman carry a more stringent punishment of three years, as opposed to making sexually coloured remarks, which is punishable with one year imprisonment. In addition, a person in a fiduciary relationship abusing his authority to induce or seduce a woman in his custody or charge or even present in the premises to have sexual intercourse, which may not amount to rape is also an offence punishable under S.376C IPC with six years imprisonment. Against this, the Sexual Harassment Act provides an open-ended inclusive definition. Implied or explicit promises of preferential treatment or threat of detrimental treatment including in present or future, in employment; interference with her work; creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment; humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety are all acts amounting to sexual harassment under the Act. Corporate policies for internal penal actions may, therefore, be more stringent than those under IPC for initiation of criminal prosecution. These, however, would have to be explicitly set out in the human resources policies to support such initiation of action. Any corporate action against culprits would have to be preceded by an inquiry by ICC. Women — not just employees — protected: Corporate policies need to take into account that it is not just women employees but “any woman” present at a “workplace” who is protected under the Act. The Act is gender-specific to “women”, as victims but is gender neutral with respect to the perpetrator, i.e., complaint against a woman may be entertained for commission of sexual harassment against another woman, subject however to other provisions being applicable. Workplace & The Act: In today’s hyper-connected world every place in effect would become a workplace. The Sexual Harassment Act itself expands the workplace not just to the office premises but also to places visited by employees in the course of employment including transportation provided by the employer. It would therefore include even online workspaces. Purpose & its implementation: With the application of the Sexual Harassment Act extending to any woman present in a “workplace”, enforcing excessive or possibly restrictive protections to women employees is clearly misplaced. Similarly, placing employees in different hotels or mandating travel by co-workers on different vehicles reeks of segregation processes in schools and colleges. If not anything else it certainly demonstrates abject lack of trust. Most significantly, none of these actions, including restraining or restricting office romances or travels together or other regressive processes is likely to protect against commission of an act of sexual harassment. Short of restricting all forms of communication between the two genders, which clearly is not just impractical but impossible, there is no way for corporates to create Chinese walls to protect against complaints of sexual harassment – for a man may commit an offence against a woman employee (yes the law is gender specific) or against a non-employee. If the act is committed at a “workplace”, which could even be a coffee shop where a meeting is being held or even during a conference call, the ICC of the entity is required to entertain the complaint. It is imperative for corporates to understand that the law is not “against” them. Nor is it intended to become yet another restrictive and regressive step for women. It is intended as a facilitator for women to freely venture out and be part of the workforce. The law is for and about women. Experience has taught us that any attempt at keeping statistics “clean" will only defeat the purpose behind an enactment. Registration of a complaint with the ICC is not a blot on a corporate entity or a stigma. On the contrary, it reflects the robustness of its sexual harassment policies and implementation. It is not important to protect adults against each other especially against their natural urges or choices. The decisions of the Supreme Court from the Privacy judgment to the recent strike down of adultery as a Criminal offence demonstrate the need to protect an adult’s consensual choice. The need of the hour for companies is to, therefore, put in place effective processes for undertaking complaints of sexual harassment boldly and transparently and to ensure speedy and just disposals. The measure of a company’s worth or safe workplace may probably now depend not on a “clean slate” with no complaints registered but of effective, speedy and conscientious handling of sexual harassment complaints, which is a more plausible measure. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How #MeToo movement has impacted corporate world

The Editors Guild of India Friday put out an updated list of its members, which continued to include former Union minister M J Akbar and former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who are both accused of sexual misconduct.

Their names have been featured in the updates list of the guild members despite of the calls for their removal within the media body.

Akbar has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women over his tenure as a senior editor as part of the #MeToo movement, while Tejpal has been charged with rape and is currently out on bail.

The list also includes senior journalist Gautam Adhikari, who has also been accused of sexual misconduct.

Akbar had resigned last month as the minister of state for external affairs in the wake of sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.

The Editors Guild of India last month had asked him to withdraw the criminal defamation case he filed against journalist Priya Ramani.

It had also offered legal support to women journalists who have levelled the allegations against Akbar in case he did not withdraw the present case or files such cases against other women too.

Earlier this month, the Guild had said it is tracking with "great concern" fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against Akbar and a decision on his membership of the top editors' body will be taken after "due process" is completed.

The Guild's statement on his membership had come after a US-based editor of a leading media house accused the former Union minister of raping her in India 23 years ago.

"In accordance with the decision of the Guild's last EGM (extraordinary general meeting), as ratified at the subsequent meeting of the executive, membership of those editors, whose profession has changed from journalism goes dormant. Mr Akbar's membership is also therefore dormant," the statement had said.

The Editors Guild of India Friday put out an updated list of its members, which continued to include former Union minister M J Akbar and former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who are both accused of sexual misconduct.

The Editors Guild of India Friday put out an updated list of its members, which continued to include former Union minister M J Akbar and former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who are both accused of sexual misconduct. Their names have been featured in the updates list of the guild members despite of the calls for their removal within the media body. Akbar has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women over his tenure as a senior editor as part of the #MeToo movement, while Tejpal has been charged with rape and is currently out on bail. The list also includes senior journalist Gautam Adhikari, who has also been accused of sexual misconduct. Akbar had resigned last month as the minister of state for external affairs in the wake of sexual harassment allegations levelled against him. The Editors Guild of India last month had asked him to withdraw the criminal defamation case he filed against journalist Priya Ramani. It had also offered legal support to women journalists who have levelled the allegations against Akbar in case he did not withdraw the present case or files such cases against other women too. Earlier this month, the Guild had said it is tracking with "great concern" fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against Akbar and a decision on his membership of the top editors' body will be taken after "due process" is completed. The Guild's statement on his membership had come after a US-based editor of a leading media house accused the former Union minister of raping her in India 23 years ago. "In accordance with the decision of the Guild's last EGM (extraordinary general meeting), as ratified at the subsequent meeting of the executive, membership of those editors, whose profession has changed from journalism goes dormant. Mr Akbar's membership is also therefore dormant," the statement had said.

MJ Akbar, Tarun Tejpal feature in Editors Guild's updated list of members

Management guru and now an author, Stuart Drew, has said that there is no place for discrimination of any sort in business let alone abuse, and in an ideal world the #MeToo movement should be unnecessary. 
&nbsp; 
"It is an indictment on corporate governance over many years that such movements needed to be created. Basically companies need to become absolutely dedicated to creating a corporate culture based on only one thing, a transparent meritocracy. The #MeToo movement is only one example of bias based harassment in the workplace," Drew tells exclusively to WION. 
&nbsp; 
No one would want to work at a place where toxic masculinity exists, he further adds. 
&nbsp; 
Drew, who has vast managerial experience, says the work environment today tests managers on new parametres and they are often faced with issues that burden them and limit their performance. 
&nbsp; 
"Businesses today require managers to prove themselves on a regular basis. This differs from past times where jobs were long term or for life. Also, team members are now much more demanding and are prepared to challenge the status quo and are no longer willing to put up with poor management. They want to be recognised as making a difference or will move on," he says. 
&nbsp; 
Drew has decades of experience in managing teams and has now forayed into launching a dotcom start-up. He has been a chairman of a private members club and chairman of a European trade association. 
&nbsp; 
"In any competitive market, the surprising thing is how similar companies' offerings are, and not how different they are. Furthermore in most high value procurements, external advisors are employed to use their procurement processes to ensure bids are able to do the job fairly evaluated and that the eventual winner provides best value for money. They seek to create 'a level playing field'. The question therefore is: If several bids are similar, how does a bidder expect to win more than a fair share of business?" he says. 
&nbsp; 
The answer, he says, lies in deploying a strategy that focuses on your bid being Differentiated, Innovative and Disruptive - an approach popularly known as DID. 
&nbsp; 
Drew explains, "Some examples for differentiation are creating a Customer Value Portal where value in excess of contractual commitments can be measured and signed off by the customer. I personally gave spoof cheques to customers with the value of signed off benefits. These frequently were in the millions of dollars. Creating a Customer Experience Room that brings to life the elements of your proposal. By demonstrating a complete understanding of the customer needs and objectives, through face to face discussions with no PowerPoint presentations, helped customers appreciate the individual nature of the proposal. This allows the customer to fully engage in debate on delivering best value for money. In the vast majority of cases this included the customer evaluation team lunching with the junior delivery team with no managers present. This unfailingly showed the customer team the depth and quality of the people, even juniors, delivering the proposed solution. 
&nbsp; 
"For innovation, the customer team was invited to engage in a betting game that was used to verify customer alignment around what benefits they were seeking from the proposed solution. This invariably led to a debate among the customer evaluation team on the priority of benefits. The last 'D' is Disruptive. This might seem strange as disruption is not always seen as a good thing. However in competitive markets it is the disrupters that generally produce superior performance. I contend that spending time on how your company can be a disruptive business partner will pay handsome dividends." 
&nbsp; 
He also stresses the need to understand 'cultural dynamics'. Having worked across global cultures and industries, Drew understands the need to be open to learn about different cultures, both in business and in life. "We live in a multi-cultural society where global travel is affordable for many people. Social media is the catalyst for international connections that were unavailable to previous generations. It is our duty to be open to learning about different cultures both in business and in life. Ignorance too often results in laughable outcomes, parodied by comedians or worse yet triggering international incidents," says Drew. 
&nbsp; 
"Making the effort to understand different cultures and, perhaps more importantly, to understand one’s own culture in the context of other cultures represent ‘table stakes’ for managers today. The word ‘yes’ can be used to illustrate cultural difference. In the USA ‘yes’ is most often assumed as ‘it will be done’. In the UK, it can mean ‘I understand’. In India there is a to and fro sideways head movement for ‘yes’ and a more vigorous movement for ‘very yes’. In other countries ‘yes’ can mean ‘I hear you’ or ‘that sounds reasonable’. Even this one simple word can be the cause of immense frustration," he further adds.

For measuring successful leadership, Drew formulated and introduced the Personal Share Price (PSP) model. "This is a concept that I created to better understand my own value to the business. The concept understands that success and influence are dynamic and can vary in the short term. The expression ‘you are as good as your last performance’ captures that idea. I propose there are three components that combined create a PSP, namely behaviour, presence and performance. These three elements work together to deliver superior value to the business," he says explaining the concept. 
&nbsp; 
During his tenure in India, Drew grew increasingly fond of jugaad (a Hindi term which means overcoming harsh constraints by improvising and effective solution using limited resources) and believes that it is crucial for the survival of start-ups. 
&nbsp; 
"In part of my career I was CEO of a dotcom business start up. I would argue that subconsciously most start up companies will only survive if they use jugaad techniques. For example building a solution based on software services to address a market need can be done from ‘a garage’. However to scale-up the solution takes investment that may be hard to obtain. As a given solution becomes successful, managing the balance of limited financial resources between investment and development becomes a key capability. Building the infrastructure ahead of demand can lead to bankruptcy. Building it after demand will lead to customer dissatisfaction. So using scarce resources to optimise performance requires, in my opinion, a jugaad mindset. This was the idea developed in the Harvard Business Review 2010 publication encouraging businesses in the USA to use the jugaad concept to do more for less," says Drew. 
&nbsp; 
Drew has come out with a book called 'The Liberated Manager' which shares his experiences of delivering differentiated and sustained performance over many years as a manager through releasing the hidden and potent potential in the teams under my management. The book covers how managers can liberate themselves from concerns including, having to have all the answers to team issues, liberation from risky hiring, liberation from worrying too much and negativity, liberation from one's own cultural heritage, liberation from coming second or worse too often in sales.

Management guru and now an author, Stuart Drew, has said that there is no place for discrimination of any sort in business let alone abuse, and in an ideal world the #MeToo movement should be unnecessary.

Management guru and now an author, Stuart Drew, has said that there is no place for discrimination of any sort in business let alone abuse, and in an ideal world the #MeToo movement should be unnecessary. "It is an indictment on corporate governance over many years that such movements needed to be created. Basically companies need to become absolutely dedicated to creating a corporate culture based on only one thing, a transparent meritocracy. The #MeToo movement is only one example of bias based harassment in the workplace," Drew tells exclusively to WION. No one would want to work at a place where toxic masculinity exists, he further adds. Drew, who has vast managerial experience, says the work environment today tests managers on new parametres and they are often faced with issues that burden them and limit their performance. "Businesses today require managers to prove themselves on a regular basis. This differs from past times where jobs were long term or for life. Also, team members are now much more demanding and are prepared to challenge the status quo and are no longer willing to put up with poor management. They want to be recognised as making a difference or will move on," he says. Drew has decades of experience in managing teams and has now forayed into launching a dotcom start-up. He has been a chairman of a private members club and chairman of a European trade association. "In any competitive market, the surprising thing is how similar companies' offerings are, and not how different they are. Furthermore in most high value procurements, external advisors are employed to use their procurement processes to ensure bids are able to do the job fairly evaluated and that the eventual winner provides best value for money. They seek to create 'a level playing field'. The question therefore is: If several bids are similar, how does a bidder expect to win more than a fair share of business?" he says. The answer, he says, lies in deploying a strategy that focuses on your bid being Differentiated, Innovative and Disruptive - an approach popularly known as DID. Drew explains, "Some examples for differentiation are creating a Customer Value Portal where value in excess of contractual commitments can be measured and signed off by the customer. I personally gave spoof cheques to customers with the value of signed off benefits. These frequently were in the millions of dollars. Creating a Customer Experience Room that brings to life the elements of your proposal. By demonstrating a complete understanding of the customer needs and objectives, through face to face discussions with no PowerPoint presentations, helped customers appreciate the individual nature of the proposal. This allows the customer to fully engage in debate on delivering best value for money. In the vast majority of cases this included the customer evaluation team lunching with the junior delivery team with no managers present. This unfailingly showed the customer team the depth and quality of the people, even juniors, delivering the proposed solution. "For innovation, the customer team was invited to engage in a betting game that was used to verify customer alignment around what benefits they were seeking from the proposed solution. This invariably led to a debate among the customer evaluation team on the priority of benefits. The last 'D' is Disruptive. This might seem strange as disruption is not always seen as a good thing. However in competitive markets it is the disrupters that generally produce superior performance. I contend that spending time on how your company can be a disruptive business partner will pay handsome dividends." He also stresses the need to understand 'cultural dynamics'. Having worked across global cultures and industries, Drew understands the need to be open to learn about different cultures, both in business and in life. "We live in a multi-cultural society where global travel is affordable for many people. Social media is the catalyst for international connections that were unavailable to previous generations. It is our duty to be open to learning about different cultures both in business and in life. Ignorance too often results in laughable outcomes, parodied by comedians or worse yet triggering international incidents," says Drew. "Making the effort to understand different cultures and, perhaps more importantly, to understand one’s own culture in the context of other cultures represent ‘table stakes’ for managers today. The word ‘yes’ can be used to illustrate cultural difference. In the USA ‘yes’ is most often assumed as ‘it will be done’. In the UK, it can mean ‘I understand’. In India there is a to and fro sideways head movement for ‘yes’ and a more vigorous movement for ‘very yes’. In other countries ‘yes’ can mean ‘I hear you’ or ‘that sounds reasonable’. Even this one simple word can be the cause of immense frustration," he further adds. For measuring successful leadership, Drew formulated and introduced the Personal Share Price (PSP) model. "This is a concept that I created to better understand my own value to the business. The concept understands that success and influence are dynamic and can vary in the short term. The expression ‘you are as good as your last performance’ captures that idea. I propose there are three components that combined create a PSP, namely behaviour, presence and performance. These three elements work together to deliver superior value to the business," he says explaining the concept. During his tenure in India, Drew grew increasingly fond of jugaad (a Hindi term which means overcoming harsh constraints by improvising and effective solution using limited resources) and believes that it is crucial for the survival of start-ups. "In part of my career I was CEO of a dotcom business start up. I would argue that subconsciously most start up companies will only survive if they use jugaad techniques. For example building a solution based on software services to address a market need can be done from ‘a garage’. However to scale-up the solution takes investment that may be hard to obtain. As a given solution becomes successful, managing the balance of limited financial resources between investment and development becomes a key capability. Building the infrastructure ahead of demand can lead to bankruptcy. Building it after demand will lead to customer dissatisfaction. So using scarce resources to optimise performance requires, in my opinion, a jugaad mindset. This was the idea developed in the Harvard Business Review 2010 publication encouraging businesses in the USA to use the jugaad concept to do more for less," says Drew. Drew has come out with a book called 'The Liberated Manager' which shares his experiences of delivering differentiated and sustained performance over many years as a manager through releasing the hidden and potent potential in the teams under my management. The book covers how managers can liberate themselves from concerns including, having to have all the answers to team issues, liberation from risky hiring, liberation from worrying too much and negativity, liberation from one's own cultural heritage, liberation from coming second or worse too often in sales.

#MeToo an indictment on corporate governance: Author Stuart Drew to WION

"Single-use" was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in usage since 2013 in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability.

It edged out "MeToo" and "whitewash" to top the list of 10 new and notable words that "reflect an ever-evolving culture and the preoccupations of those who use it", Collins said.

The wider 10 words of the year include ones inspired by Brexit, environmental concerns and the 2018 football World Cup.

"Single-use" describes items "whose unchecked proliferation are blamed for damaging the environment and affecting the food chain", said Collins.

It said public awareness of plastic adrift in the oceans had led to a global campaign to reduce the use of once-only items.

Another environment-related word on the list was plogging: a Scandinavian fitness craze that combines jogging with picking up litter.

"Vegan", a person who refrains from using any animal products, has become an increasingly mainstream lifestyle choice in recent years and so gets on the list.

"This has been a year where awareness and often anger over a variety of issues has led to the rise of new words and the revitalisation and adaptation of old ones," said Helen Newstead, Collins' head of language content.

"It's clear from this year's words of the year list that changes to our language are dictated as much by public concern as they are by sport, politics, and playground fads."

Fancy flossing with gammon?&nbsp;

"MeToo", the movement seeking to expose and eradicate sexual harassment, makes the top 10.

Brexit, the 2016 word of the year, has inspired two new words on this year's list: "backstop" and "gammon".

"Backstop" is defined as a system that may be used if no other arrangement is made.

The derogatory use of the word "gammon" -- a type of cured pork -- has gained popularity as a term of abuse directed at the most reactionary pro-Brexit supporters, who are typically white, male and middle-aged.

"Whitewash" -- casting a white actor as an ethnic minority character" -- also makes the list.

There's a new term for manipulating others, often romantic partners, by continually feeding them false information until they doubt their sanity: "gaslight".

From the World Cup, "VAR", an abbreviation of video assistant referee, makes the list.

The final word on the list is the "floss" dance craze.

"The words in this year's list perhaps highlight a world at extremes -- at one end, serious social and political concerns, and at the other, more light-hearted activities," said Newstead.

The list will join the online version of the dictionary and be considered for inclusion in future print editions.

"Single-use" was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in usage since 2013 in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability.

"Single-use" was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in usage since 2013 in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability. It edged out "MeToo" and "whitewash" to top the list of 10 new and notable words that "reflect an ever-evolving culture and the preoccupations of those who use it", Collins said. The wider 10 words of the year include ones inspired by Brexit, environmental concerns and the 2018 football World Cup. "Single-use" describes items "whose unchecked proliferation are blamed for damaging the environment and affecting the food chain", said Collins. It said public awareness of plastic adrift in the oceans had led to a global campaign to reduce the use of once-only items. Another environment-related word on the list was plogging: a Scandinavian fitness craze that combines jogging with picking up litter. "Vegan", a person who refrains from using any animal products, has become an increasingly mainstream lifestyle choice in recent years and so gets on the list. "This has been a year where awareness and often anger over a variety of issues has led to the rise of new words and the revitalisation and adaptation of old ones," said Helen Newstead, Collins' head of language content. "It's clear from this year's words of the year list that changes to our language are dictated as much by public concern as they are by sport, politics, and playground fads." Fancy flossing with gammon? "MeToo", the movement seeking to expose and eradicate sexual harassment, makes the top 10. Brexit, the 2016 word of the year, has inspired two new words on this year's list: "backstop" and "gammon". "Backstop" is defined as a system that may be used if no other arrangement is made. The derogatory use of the word "gammon" -- a type of cured pork -- has gained popularity as a term of abuse directed at the most reactionary pro-Brexit supporters, who are typically white, male and middle-aged. "Whitewash" -- casting a white actor as an ethnic minority character" -- also makes the list. There's a new term for manipulating others, often romantic partners, by continually feeding them false information until they doubt their sanity: "gaslight". From the World Cup, "VAR", an abbreviation of video assistant referee, makes the list. The final word on the list is the "floss" dance craze. "The words in this year's list perhaps highlight a world at extremes -- at one end, serious social and political concerns, and at the other, more light-hearted activities," said Newstead. The list will join the online version of the dictionary and be considered for inclusion in future print editions.

Metoo, Brexit are now in the dictionary, 'single-use' is word of the year

Hundreds of Google employees and contractors in Asia staged brief midday walkouts on Thursday, with thousands more expected to follow at offices worldwide, amid complaints of sexism, racism and unchecked executive power in their workplace.

In a statement late Wednesday, the organizers called on Google parent Alphabet Inc to add an employee representative to its board of directors and internally share pay-equity data. They also asked for changes to Google's human resources practices intended to make bringing harassment claims a fairer process.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a statement that "employees have raised constructive ideas" and that the company was "taking in all their feedback so we can turn these ideas into action."

The dissatisfaction among Alphabet's 94,000 employees and tens of thousands more contractors has not noticeably affected company shares. But employees expect Alphabet to face recruiting and retention challenges if their concerns go unaddressed.

The demonstrations follow a New York Times report last week that said Google in 2014 gave a $90 million exit package to Andy Rubin after the then-senior vice president was accused of sexual harassment.

Rubin denied the allegation in the story, which he also said contained "wild exaggerations" about his compensation. Google did not dispute the report.

The report energized a months-long movement inside Google to increase diversity, improve treatment of women and minorities and ensure the company upholds its motto of "don't be evil" as it expands.

Much of the organizing earlier this year was internal, including petition drives, brainstorming sessions with top executives and training from the workers' rights group Coworker.org.

On Thursday, employees posted on social media about the walkout and were set to deliver speeches in public plazas.

Since its founding two decades ago, Google has been known around the world for its exceptional transparency with workers. Executives' goals and insights into corporate strategy have been accessible to any employee.

But organizers said Google executives, like leaders at other companies affected by the #metoo movement, have been slow to address some structural issues.

"While Google has championed the language of diversity and inclusion, substantive actions to address systemic racism, increase equity, and stop sexual harassment have been few and far between," organizers stated.

They said Google must publicly report its sexual harassment statistics and end forced arbitration in harassment cases. In addition, they asked that the chief diversity officer be able to directly advise the board.

Hundreds of Google employees and contractors in Asia staged brief midday walkouts on Thursday, with thousands more expected to follow at offices worldwide, amid complaints of sexism, racism and unchecked executive power in their workplace.

Hundreds of Google employees and contractors in Asia staged brief midday walkouts on Thursday, with thousands more expected to follow at offices worldwide, amid complaints of sexism, racism and unchecked executive power in their workplace. In a statement late Wednesday, the organizers called on Google parent Alphabet Inc to add an employee representative to its board of directors and internally share pay-equity data. They also asked for changes to Google's human resources practices intended to make bringing harassment claims a fairer process. Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a statement that "employees have raised constructive ideas" and that the company was "taking in all their feedback so we can turn these ideas into action." The dissatisfaction among Alphabet's 94,000 employees and tens of thousands more contractors has not noticeably affected company shares. But employees expect Alphabet to face recruiting and retention challenges if their concerns go unaddressed. The demonstrations follow a New York Times report last week that said Google in 2014 gave a $90 million exit package to Andy Rubin after the then-senior vice president was accused of sexual harassment. Rubin denied the allegation in the story, which he also said contained "wild exaggerations" about his compensation. Google did not dispute the report. The report energized a months-long movement inside Google to increase diversity, improve treatment of women and minorities and ensure the company upholds its motto of "don't be evil" as it expands. Much of the organizing earlier this year was internal, including petition drives, brainstorming sessions with top executives and training from the workers' rights group Coworker.org. On Thursday, employees posted on social media about the walkout and were set to deliver speeches in public plazas. Since its founding two decades ago, Google has been known around the world for its exceptional transparency with workers. Executives' goals and insights into corporate strategy have been accessible to any employee. But organizers said Google executives, like leaders at other companies affected by the #metoo movement, have been slow to address some structural issues. "While Google has championed the language of diversity and inclusion, substantive actions to address systemic racism, increase equity, and stop sexual harassment have been few and far between," organizers stated. They said Google must publicly report its sexual harassment statistics and end forced arbitration in harassment cases. In addition, they asked that the chief diversity officer be able to directly advise the board.

Google workers walk out to protest office harassment, inequality

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a PIL seeking that the Centre and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to on their own inquire about the instances of sexual harassment and assault highlighted under the #MeToo movement on the social media.&nbsp;

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said, “We are not inclined to entertain it. Please don’t waste our time. Let the affected individual come. Dismissed.”

The petition by a lawyer, Joginder Kumar Sukhija, said that under the #MeToo campaign several women disclosed instances of sexual harassment suffered by them, but the NCW “failed” to perform its duty to inquire into such matters.&nbsp;

The lawyer wanted the NCW and the Ministry for Women and Child Development to “suo motu take notice” of matters related to sexual harassment and assault that were appearing on the social media under the #MeToo movement.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a PIL seeking that the Centre and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to on their own inquire about the instances of sexual harassment and assault highlighted under the #MeToo movement on the social media.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a PIL seeking that the Centre and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to on their own inquire about the instances of sexual harassment and assault highlighted under the #MeToo movement on the social media. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said, “We are not inclined to entertain it. Please don’t waste our time. Let the affected individual come. Dismissed.” The petition by a lawyer, Joginder Kumar Sukhija, said that under the #MeToo campaign several women disclosed instances of sexual harassment suffered by them, but the NCW “failed” to perform its duty to inquire into such matters. The lawyer wanted the NCW and the Ministry for Women and Child Development to “suo motu take notice” of matters related to sexual harassment and assault that were appearing on the social media under the #MeToo movement.

Delhi HC junks PIL asking Centre, NCW to inquire about #MeToo cases on social media

On the lines of #Metoo, a group of 15 people, including a former French diplomat acquitted in a sexual abuse case in 2017, has launched a #MenToo movement, asking men to come out and speak openly about the sexual harassment faced by them at the hands of women.

The campaign was launched here Saturday by NGO Children’s Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting (Crisp) to protest against the #Metoo movement, false cases against men among others.

Speaking on the occasion, National President of Crisp, Kumar V Jahgirdar said the group would fight for gender-neutral laws and demand punishment for those filing false cases under #MeToo campaign.

Noting that #MeToo was a good movement, he, however, said it should not be misused to fix somebody by levelling false allegations.

“This movement has only resulted in bringing disrepute to men who have worked hard to earn respect in society,” he said.

Later, talking to reporters, Jahgirdar said unlike #MeToo victims, who bring about sexual abuse stories that happened a couple of decades ago, the #MenToo stories would be related to recent incidents.

On #MeToo movement, Jahgirdar further said if the affected women have a genuine case of sexual misbehaviour, they should take legal recourse, instead of putting out stories on social media.

Former French diplomat Pascal Mazurier, who was accused of sexually abusing his daughter and later acquitted by a city court in 2017 also took part in the protest.

He said #MenToo campaign was not at all a counter to #MeToo campaign, but to address the problems of men who do not speak up against women’s atrocities.

“There is real pain among men. They are also suffering, but they are not coming out in the open against women and their misdemeanours,” he said.

The false allegations levelled on men in #MeToo campaign not only destroys children’s future but also families, Pascal noted.

“We make laws to protect women. That is fine, but let us not forget half of humanity are men,” he added.

Pascal is facing a court battle after his wife had moved the Karnataka High Court challenging a city-based court’s verdict acquitting him.

Pascal’s wife has custody of their three children.

The #Me Too movement has gathered pace over the past few days with a number of women speaking out on sexual harassment at their workplace and support for them has been pouring in from various quarters.

Former Union Minister MJ Akbar, film personalities like Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Nana Patekar and Vairamuthu have been accused of sexual harassment by a number of women under the #MeToo movement.

On the lines of #Metoo, a group of 15 people, including a former French diplomat acquitted in a sexual abuse case in 2017, has launched a #MenToo movement, asking men to come out and speak openly about the sexual harassment faced by them at the hands of women.

On the lines of #Metoo, a group of 15 people, including a former French diplomat acquitted in a sexual abuse case in 2017, has launched a #MenToo movement, asking men to come out and speak openly about the sexual harassment faced by them at the hands of women. The campaign was launched here Saturday by NGO Children’s Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting (Crisp) to protest against the #Metoo movement, false cases against men among others. Speaking on the occasion, National President of Crisp, Kumar V Jahgirdar said the group would fight for gender-neutral laws and demand punishment for those filing false cases under #MeToo campaign. Noting that #MeToo was a good movement, he, however, said it should not be misused to fix somebody by levelling false allegations. “This movement has only resulted in bringing disrepute to men who have worked hard to earn respect in society,” he said. Later, talking to reporters, Jahgirdar said unlike #MeToo victims, who bring about sexual abuse stories that happened a couple of decades ago, the #MenToo stories would be related to recent incidents. On #MeToo movement, Jahgirdar further said if the affected women have a genuine case of sexual misbehaviour, they should take legal recourse, instead of putting out stories on social media. Former French diplomat Pascal Mazurier, who was accused of sexually abusing his daughter and later acquitted by a city court in 2017 also took part in the protest. He said #MenToo campaign was not at all a counter to #MeToo campaign, but to address the problems of men who do not speak up against women’s atrocities. “There is real pain among men. They are also suffering, but they are not coming out in the open against women and their misdemeanours,” he said. The false allegations levelled on men in #MeToo campaign not only destroys children’s future but also families, Pascal noted. “We make laws to protect women. That is fine, but let us not forget half of humanity are men,” he added. Pascal is facing a court battle after his wife had moved the Karnataka High Court challenging a city-based court’s verdict acquitting him. Pascal’s wife has custody of their three children. The #Me Too movement has gathered pace over the past few days with a number of women speaking out on sexual harassment at their workplace and support for them has been pouring in from various quarters. Former Union Minister MJ Akbar, film personalities like Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Nana Patekar and Vairamuthu have been accused of sexual harassment by a number of women under the #MeToo movement.

Now a #MenToo movement to ‘expose’ harassment by women

Music composer Anu Malik Sunday said he is taking a break from singing reality show "Indian Idol" following various sexual harassment allegations against him.&nbsp;

In a statement the music director, who has been attached with the show as a judge since 2004, said he decided to step away from it as he was not able to "focus on my work".&nbsp;

"I, Anu Malik, have decided to take a break from Indian Idol as I am currently unable to focus on my work on the show. The channel has been kind to agree for the same. Thank you," Malik said.

The music composer's response comes after sources claimed that Sony TV, on which the show airs, has asked him to step down as a judge for "Indian Idol 10".&nbsp;

Sony Entertainment Television also issued a statement saying the composer would not be part of the show anymore, which includes Vishal Dadlani and Neha Kakkar as the other two judges.

"Anu Malik is no longer a part of the Indian Idol jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule and we will invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal and Neha to judge the extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10," the statement read.

The decision comes after singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit accused Malik of sexual harassment. Two budding singers also levelled similar allegations against him.

Malik's lawyer Thursday denied the allegations, saying India's #MeToo movement is being used for his client's "character assassination". Malik has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Music composer Anu Malik Sunday said he is taking a break from singing reality show "Indian Idol" following various sexual harassment allegations against him. In a statement the music director, who has been attached with the show as a judge since 2004, said he decided to step away from it as he was not able to "focus on my work".

Music composer Anu Malik Sunday said he is taking a break from singing reality show "Indian Idol" following various sexual harassment allegations against him. In a statement the music director, who has been attached with the show as a judge since 2004, said he decided to step away from it as he was not able to "focus on my work". "I, Anu Malik, have decided to take a break from Indian Idol as I am currently unable to focus on my work on the show. The channel has been kind to agree for the same. Thank you," Malik said. The music composer's response comes after sources claimed that Sony TV, on which the show airs, has asked him to step down as a judge for "Indian Idol 10". Sony Entertainment Television also issued a statement saying the composer would not be part of the show anymore, which includes Vishal Dadlani and Neha Kakkar as the other two judges. "Anu Malik is no longer a part of the Indian Idol jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule and we will invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal and Neha to judge the extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10," the statement read. The decision comes after singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit accused Malik of sexual harassment. Two budding singers also levelled similar allegations against him. Malik's lawyer Thursday denied the allegations, saying India's #MeToo movement is being used for his client's "character assassination". Malik has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Anu Malik takes break from 'Indian Idol' amid sexual harassment allegations

A day after singer Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of harassment, a lawyer for the music composer said Thursday that the #MeToo movement, which is having its India moment, is being used for his client's "character assassination".

Pandit took to Twitter to accuse Malik of being a "pedophile and sexual predator", saying he misbehaved with her when she was a greenhorn in the Hindi music industry. He denied the allegation.

In a statement to PTI, Malik's lawyer, Zulfiquar Memon said, "The allegations made against my client are emphatically denied as completely false and baseless.

"My client respects the #MeToo movement but to use this movement to start a character assassination mission is obnoxious."

Pandit is not the first one to name the music director, currently a judge on reality singing TV show "Indian Idol". 
&nbsp;

A day after singer Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of harassment, a lawyer for the music composer said Thursday that the #MeToo movement, which is having its India moment, is being used for his client's "character assassination".

A day after singer Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of harassment, a lawyer for the music composer said Thursday that the #MeToo movement, which is having its India moment, is being used for his client's "character assassination". Pandit took to Twitter to accuse Malik of being a "pedophile and sexual predator", saying he misbehaved with her when she was a greenhorn in the Hindi music industry. He denied the allegation. In a statement to PTI, Malik's lawyer, Zulfiquar Memon said, "The allegations made against my client are emphatically denied as completely false and baseless. "My client respects the #MeToo movement but to use this movement to start a character assassination mission is obnoxious." Pandit is not the first one to name the music director, currently a judge on reality singing TV show "Indian Idol".

Anu Malik's lawyer says #MeToo being used for 'character assassination'

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the National Commission for Women to probe expeditiously all complaints of sexual harassment received by them under #MeToo movement.

"I have asked NCW to probe expeditiously each and every complaint of sexual harassments of women at workplace," Gandhi told reporters Thursday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in the wake of many women coming forward with complaints of their sexual harassments at workplace under the #MeToo campaign, the NCW has created a dedicated email ID to receive their complaints.

"The Commission urges women, who have come forward on social media and other platforms about their alleged harassments, to send their formal written complaints to ncw.Metoo@gmail.Com, the NCW said in a statement.

The #MeToo movement in India began with actor Tanushree Dutta accusing veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassing her during shooting of a film in 2008, leading to more and women following her step and coming forward with their complaints against men at workplace, including the entertainment and media.

Journalist-turned-politician M J Akbar had to resign as the minister of state for external affairs on Wednesday following a spate of complaints of alleged sexual harassment by him to young women journalists during his tenure as editor of various media publications.

Akbar has denied the allegations and has dragged one of the complainants to the court with a criminal defamation case.

Other prominent personalities who have been accused of sexual misconduct include Subhash Ghai, Sajid Khan, Alok Nath, Suhel Seth and Jatin Das, all of whom have denied the allegations even as several women have spoken out against them.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the National Commission for Women to probe expeditiously all complaints of sexual harassment received by them under #MeToo movement.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the National Commission for Women to probe expeditiously all complaints of sexual harassment received by them under #MeToo movement. "I have asked NCW to probe expeditiously each and every complaint of sexual harassments of women at workplace," Gandhi told reporters Thursday. Meanwhile, in the wake of many women coming forward with complaints of their sexual harassments at workplace under the #MeToo campaign, the NCW has created a dedicated email ID to receive their complaints. "The Commission urges women, who have come forward on social media and other platforms about their alleged harassments, to send their formal written complaints to ncw.Metoo@gmail.Com, the NCW said in a statement. The #MeToo movement in India began with actor Tanushree Dutta accusing veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassing her during shooting of a film in 2008, leading to more and women following her step and coming forward with their complaints against men at workplace, including the entertainment and media. Journalist-turned-politician M J Akbar had to resign as the minister of state for external affairs on Wednesday following a spate of complaints of alleged sexual harassment by him to young women journalists during his tenure as editor of various media publications. Akbar has denied the allegations and has dragged one of the complainants to the court with a criminal defamation case. Other prominent personalities who have been accused of sexual misconduct include Subhash Ghai, Sajid Khan, Alok Nath, Suhel Seth and Jatin Das, all of whom have denied the allegations even as several women have spoken out against them.

#Metoo: Maneka Gandhi asks NCW to probe sexual harassment complaints expeditiously

A day after singer Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of harassment, a lawyer for the music composer said Thursday that the #MeToo movement, which is having its India moment, is being used for his client's "character assassination".

Pandit took to Twitter to accuse Malik of being a "pedophile and sexual predator", saying he misbehaved with her when she was a greenhorn in the Hindi music industry. He denied the allegation.

In a statement to PTI, Malik's lawyer, Zulfiquar Memon said, "The allegations made against my client are emphatically denied as completely false and baseless. My client respects the #MeToo movement but to use this movement to start a character assassination mission is obnoxious."

Pandit is not the first one to name the music director, currently a judge on reality singing TV show "Indian Idol".

Last week, singer Sona Mohapatra had also called Malik a "serial predator", a claim he had denied.

A day after singer Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of harassment, a lawyer for the music composer said Thursday that the #MeToo movement, which is having its India moment, is being used for his client's "character assassination". Pandit took to Twitter to accuse Malik of being a "pedophile and sexual predator", saying he misbehaved with her when she was a greenhorn in the Hindi music industry. He denied the allegation. In a statement to PTI, Malik's lawyer, Zulfiquar Memon said, "The allegations made against my client are emphatically denied as completely false and baseless. My client respects the #MeToo movement but to use this movement to start a character assassination mission is obnoxious." Pandit is not the first one to name the music director, currently a judge on reality singing TV show "Indian Idol". Last week, singer Sona Mohapatra had also called Malik a "serial predator", a claim he had denied.

#MeToo being used for character assassination: Anu Malik's lawyer

Board Control of Cricket in India(BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, went on leave to prepare his reply on charges levelled against him.

In the wake of ongoing MeeToo movement where several women have come out in open against the harassment they faced by men in power and position, Johri was also 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;

The woman alleged that Johri had asked her out for coffee, and after turning him down several times, she finally said yes.&nbsp;

She alleged that Midway through coffee, Johri told her they were going to his place. The victim says she 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, the victim added in her post.&nbsp;

He then got up to get her water. When he came back, she says, he took off his pants, saying, "this is the last part of your interview with me", and then made her fellate him.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the cricket board had asked Johri to submit an explanation in this regard.

Board Control of Cricket in India(BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, went on leave to prepare his reply on charges levelled against him.

Board Control of Cricket in India(BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, went on leave to prepare his reply on charges levelled against him. In the wake of ongoing MeeToo movement where several women have come out in open against the harassment they faced by men in power and position, Johri was also 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 alleged that Johri had asked her out for coffee, and after turning him down several times, she finally said yes. She alleged that Midway through coffee, Johri told her they were going to his place. The victim says she 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, the victim added in her post. He then got up to get her water. When he came back, she says, he took off his pants, saying, "this is the last part of your interview with me", and then made her fellate him. Meanwhile, the cricket board had asked Johri to submit an explanation in this regard.

#MeToo: BCCI CEO Rahul Johri goes on leave to prepare reply on sexual harassment charges

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"`

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So who wanted to kiss whom? <a href="https://twitter.com/iratrivedi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iratrivedi</a>’s self-explanatory email from 2013 to me, esp 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 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fakecharges?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fakecharges</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/harassed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#harassed</a> <a href="https://t.co/SWeaSCfHLd">pic.twitter.com/SWeaSCfHLd</a>
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) <a href="https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1051691435848687616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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'The Girl in Room 105` author also shared a video of an event - which according to him, took place in 2015-106 - in which Trivedi had called Bhagat to launch her book.

He wrote alongside, "Who calls their harasser as chief guest for their book launch?"

Bhagat further urged people to not "support this kind of smear campaign" and to not "believe such nonsense".

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I am not a vindictive person. More than anything I just want me and my family to be left alone and people to ignore fake charges. Love to all who supported me. I won’t let you down. This was my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeToo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeToo</a> story. Peace out.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) <a href="https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1051693959469137921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Shame on media like <a href="https://twitter.com/Outlookindia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@outlookindia</a> who carried a fake charges story without even checking with me. They could have easily checked on YouTube that I launched her book in 2015/16. Who calls their harasser as chief guest for their book launch? Video here: <a href="https://t.co/g6uIOVLjeS">https://t.co/g6uIOVLjeS</a>
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) <a href="https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1051692961434484736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Also, it is she who comes from very powerful family connected to pol party (regularly dropped top names of people in power then ). i was less known in 2010. was intimidated by her. My old col on Air India talks of entitled IAS kid demanding upgrades at Air India counter. It's her <a href="https://t.co/GGNGjZgbz9">pic.twitter.com/GGNGjZgbz9</a>
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) <a href="https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1051692509494095872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the ongoing #MeToo movement, writer Ira Trivedi, on October 13, had detailed her experience of being sexually harassed by Chetan Bhagat and Suhel Seth.&nbsp;

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.

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"` So who wanted to kiss whom? @iratrivedi’s self-explanatory email from 2013 to me, esp 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 pic.twitter.com/SWeaSCfHLd — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 15, 2018 × 'The Girl in Room 105` author also shared a video of an event - which according to him, took place in 2015-106 - in which Trivedi had called Bhagat to launch her book. He wrote alongside, "Who calls their harasser as chief guest for their book launch?" Bhagat further urged people to not "support this kind of smear campaign" and to not "believe such nonsense". I am not a vindictive person. More than anything I just want me and my family to be left alone and people to ignore fake charges. Love to all who supported me. I won’t let you down. This was my #MeToo story. Peace out. — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 15, 2018 × Shame on media like @outlookindia who carried a fake charges story without even checking with me. They could have easily checked on YouTube that I launched her book in 2015/16. Who calls their harasser as chief guest for their book launch? Video here: https://t.co/g6uIOVLjeS — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 15, 2018 × Also, it is she who comes from very powerful family connected to pol party (regularly dropped top names of people in power then ). i was less known in 2010. was intimidated by her. My old col on Air India talks of entitled IAS kid demanding upgrades at Air India counter. It's her pic.twitter.com/GGNGjZgbz9 — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 15, 2018 × In the ongoing #MeToo movement, writer Ira Trivedi, on October 13, had detailed her experience of being sexually harassed by Chetan Bhagat and Suhel Seth.

#MeToo: Chetan Bhagat responds to charges by author Ira Trivedi, asks 'who wanted to kiss whom?'

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

With India's #MeToo movement growing bigger and bigger, celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani has pointed a finger of accusation at Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.&nbsp;

Bachchan had been getting a lot of flak ever since he'd been asked for his take on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tanushree-duttas-lawyer-calls-for-narco-lie-detector-test-on-nana-patekar-ganesh-acharya-171330">Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy</a>. He had said then that he was neither Dutta, nor Patekar, and he therefore did not understand why he was being asked for his views on the subject.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<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">MJ Akbar returns, party sources say Modi to take </a><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">final</a><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"> call on his continuance as </a><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">minister</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/no-woman-should-be-subjected-to-any-kind-of-misbehaviour-says-amitabh-bachchan-on-birthday-170815">Bachchan finally commented on the #MeToo movement</a> in an interview conducted on his 76th birthday on October 11.

"No woman should ever be subjected to any kind of misbehaviour, or disorderly conduct, especially at her work place. Such acts should immediately be brought to the notice of concerned authorities, and corrective measures be taken, either through filing complaints or a recourse to law. 
Discipline and civic, social and moral curriculums, should be adopted at a very educational level. Women children and the weaker sections of our society are the most vulnerable. They need to be under special protective care. It has been most heartening to see women representations in most work vocations, on the increase in our country. It would be an unrepairable blemish if we are not able to provide them the welcome they deserve and the dignity of the security of their presence," Bachchan said in the interview.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nana-patekar-avoids-commenting-on-tanushree-duttas-allegations-says-what-is-true-today-will-remain-true-always-170241">Nana Patekar avoids commenting on Tanushree Dutta's allegations; says 'What is true today will remain true always'</a>

"This has to be the biggest lie ever," Bhavnani responded on Twitter. "Sir the film Pink has released and gone and your image of being an activist will soon too. Your truth will come out very soon. Hope you are biting your hands cuz nails will not be enough."

"Have personally heard so many stories of Bachchan’s sexual misconduct and I I hope those women come out. His hypocrisy is sooooo tired,"&nbsp;Bhavnani wrote in another tweet.&nbsp;

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This has to be the biggest lie ever. Sir the film Pink has released and gone and your image of being an activist will soon too. Your truth will come out very soon. Hope you are biting your hands cuz nails will not be enough. <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SrBachchan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metoo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Metoo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeTooIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeTooIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/comeoutwomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#comeoutwomen</a> <a href="https://t.co/gMQXoRtPW3">https://t.co/gMQXoRtPW3</a>
— Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) <a href="https://twitter.com/sapnabhavnani/status/1050334929664524288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Have personally heard so many stories of Bachchan’s sexual misconduct and I I hope those women come out. His hypocrisy is sooooo tired. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metoo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Metoo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeTooIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeTooIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/2BpumLoYlF">https://t.co/2BpumLoYlF</a>
— Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) <a href="https://twitter.com/sapnabhavnani/status/1050333949250158592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Since Dutta first accused Patekar of misconduct, the #MeToo floodgates have opened in India and woman after woman has come out and accused the high and mighty of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct. The list of men named and shamed so far has included the actor Alok Nath who has been accused of rape, the filmmaker Subhash Ghai who has also been accused of rape, India's junior&nbsp;foreign minister MJ Akbar who has been accused of sexual assault, the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/coa-of-bcci-asks-rahul-johri-to-submit-explanation-over-sexual-harassment-allegations-171301"> BCCI CEO Rahul Johr</a>i who has been accused of assault, the Sri Lankan cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga and Lasith Malinga, the Queen director Vikas Bahl, the filmmaker <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/metoo-i-was-told-by-all-not-to-say-anything-to-him-says-bipasha-basu-for-sajid-khan-171299">Sajid Khan</a>, the actors Rajat Kapoor and Rohit Roy, and the former Times of India and DNA editor Gautam Adhikari.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

With India's #MeToo movement growing bigger and bigger, celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani has pointed a finger of accusation at Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

With India's #MeToo movement growing bigger and bigger, celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani has pointed a finger of accusation at Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Bachchan had been getting a lot of flak ever since he'd been asked for his take on the Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy. He had said then that he was neither Dutta, nor Patekar, and he therefore did not understand why he was being asked for his views on the subject. Also read: MJ Akbar returns, party sources say Modi to take final call on his continuance as minister Bachchan finally commented on the #MeToo movement in an interview conducted on his 76th birthday on October 11. "No woman should ever be subjected to any kind of misbehaviour, or disorderly conduct, especially at her work place. Such acts should immediately be brought to the notice of concerned authorities, and corrective measures be taken, either through filing complaints or a recourse to law. Discipline and civic, social and moral curriculums, should be adopted at a very educational level. Women children and the weaker sections of our society are the most vulnerable. They need to be under special protective care. It has been most heartening to see women representations in most work vocations, on the increase in our country. It would be an unrepairable blemish if we are not able to provide them the welcome they deserve and the dignity of the security of their presence," Bachchan said in the interview. Also read: Nana Patekar avoids commenting on Tanushree Dutta's allegations; says 'What is true today will remain true always' "This has to be the biggest lie ever," Bhavnani responded on Twitter. "Sir the film Pink has released and gone and your image of being an activist will soon too. Your truth will come out very soon. Hope you are biting your hands cuz nails will not be enough." "Have personally heard so many stories of Bachchan’s sexual misconduct and I I hope those women come out. His hypocrisy is sooooo tired," Bhavnani wrote in another tweet. This has to be the biggest lie ever. Sir the film Pink has released and gone and your image of being an activist will soon too. Your truth will come out very soon. Hope you are biting your hands cuz nails will not be enough. @SrBachchan #Metoo #MeTooIndia #comeoutwomen https://t.co/gMQXoRtPW3 — Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) October 11, 2018 × Have personally heard so many stories of Bachchan’s sexual misconduct and I I hope those women come out. His hypocrisy is sooooo tired. #Metoo #MeTooIndia https://t.co/2BpumLoYlF — Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) October 11, 2018 × Since Dutta first accused Patekar of misconduct, the #MeToo floodgates have opened in India and woman after woman has come out and accused the high and mighty of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct. The list of men named and shamed so far has included the actor Alok Nath who has been accused of rape, the filmmaker Subhash Ghai who has also been accused of rape, India's junior foreign minister MJ Akbar who has been accused of sexual assault, the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri who has been accused of assault, the Sri Lankan cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga and Lasith Malinga, the Queen director Vikas Bahl, the filmmaker Sajid Khan, the actors Rajat Kapoor and Rohit Roy, and the former Times of India and DNA editor Gautam Adhikari.

#MeToo: Celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani points finger of accusation at Amitabh Bachchan

While #MeToo movement is picking momentum in India, Adhyayan Suman has posted a series of tweets saying that when he shared his story, he was humiliated and shamed.

The 'Raaz: The Mystery Continues' actor began by tweeting, "A lot of people asking me to share my #metoo story..I am sorry but when I did that 2 years ago I was shamed and humiliated."

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A lot of people asking me to share my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/metoo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#metoo</a> story..iam sorry but when I did that 2 years ago I was shamed and humiliated...my parents whom I love the most had to listen to some obscene things on National tv ..I was clearly told that a guy with a failed career doesn’t
— adhyayen suman (@AdhyayanSsuman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdhyayanSsuman/status/1050746328832204806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Revealing that he faced a lot of criticism for sharing his story, Adhyayan wrote, "My parents whom I love the most had to listen to some obscene things on National tv ..I was clearly told that a guy with a failed career doesn't. Have the right to share his painfull and dark experience. The handful of people who supported me I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

The actor also added that he hopes that the people who are getting a chance to share their experiences, get a closure and should not get judged like he was. 
"And I am happy that at least this movement is giving a chance to all the people who have had to suppress their dark and depressing experiences for so long ..I hope all these people at least get their closure without being judged the way I was!" he concluded.

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Have the right to share his pain full and dark experience.The handful of people who supported me I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And I am happy that at lest this moment is giving a chance to all the people who have had to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeToo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeToo</a>
— adhyayen suman (@AdhyayanSsuman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdhyayanSsuman/status/1050746333227823105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier in 2016, Adhyayan Suman had accused his ex-girlfriend Kangana Ranaut of torturing and abusing him, when they were together.

Almost a year after the #MeToo movement upended Hollywood, it arrived in India recently with a number of women accusing men of sexual misconduct and harassment.

The movement has taken the Bollywood industry by storm with the likes of Tanushree Dutta, Sandhya Mridul, Vinta Nanda opening up about the harassment they suffered at the hands of men.&nbsp;

While #MeToo movement is picking momentum in India, Adhyayan Suman has posted a series of tweets saying that when he shared his story, he was humiliated and shamed.

While #MeToo movement is picking momentum in India, Adhyayan Suman has posted a series of tweets saying that when he shared his story, he was humiliated and shamed. The 'Raaz: The Mystery Continues' actor began by tweeting, "A lot of people asking me to share my #metoo story..I am sorry but when I did that 2 years ago I was shamed and humiliated." A lot of people asking me to share my #metoo story..iam sorry but when I did that 2 years ago I was shamed and humiliated...my parents whom I love the most had to listen to some obscene things on National tv ..I was clearly told that a guy with a failed career doesn’t — adhyayen suman (@AdhyayanSsuman) October 12, 2018 × Revealing that he faced a lot of criticism for sharing his story, Adhyayan wrote, "My parents whom I love the most had to listen to some obscene things on National tv ..I was clearly told that a guy with a failed career doesn't. Have the right to share his painfull and dark experience. The handful of people who supported me I thank you all from the bottom of my heart." The actor also added that he hopes that the people who are getting a chance to share their experiences, get a closure and should not get judged like he was. "And I am happy that at least this movement is giving a chance to all the people who have had to suppress their dark and depressing experiences for so long ..I hope all these people at least get their closure without being judged the way I was!" he concluded. Have the right to share his pain full and dark experience.The handful of people who supported me I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And I am happy that at lest this moment is giving a chance to all the people who have had to #MeToo — adhyayen suman (@AdhyayanSsuman) October 12, 2018 × Earlier in 2016, Adhyayan Suman had accused his ex-girlfriend Kangana Ranaut of torturing and abusing him, when they were together. Almost a year after the #MeToo movement upended Hollywood, it arrived in India recently with a number of women accusing men of sexual misconduct and harassment. The movement has taken the Bollywood industry by storm with the likes of Tanushree Dutta, Sandhya Mridul, Vinta Nanda opening up about the harassment they suffered at the hands of men.

When I shared my #MeToo story, I was shamed: Adhyayan Suman

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-claims-to-have-audio-video-recordings-to-prove-journalist-jamal-khashoggis-murder-171096">Turkey claims to have audio, video recordings to prove Khashoggi's murder: Report</a>

Turkey claims that it has audio and video recordings that prove the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi took place inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. A media report quoted a source as saying that the evidence Turkey has, shows signs of assault and struggle inside the consulate.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/housefull-4-sajid-khan-steps-down-as-director-akshay-kumar-says-wont-work-with-proven-offenders-171068">Akshay Kumar says 'will not work with proven offenders', Sajid Khan steps down as 'Housefull 4' director</a>

Upcoming Bollywood film ‘Housefull 4’ finds itself in the middle of #MeToo controversy as director Sajid Khan steps down from his post in the wake of several sexual assault allegations levied against him.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kohli-consolidates-top-position-in-test-rankings-171094">Kohli consolidates top position in ICC Test rankings, Windies' Roston Chase moves up</a>

India captain Virat Kohli, who struck 139 in India's massive win in the first Test against the West Indies, on Friday consolidated his position at the top of the Test rankings, moving within one point of his highest rating point of 937.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-longest-flight-departs-singapore-for-new-york-171118">Jetliner lands in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-longest-flight-departs-singapore-for-new-york-171118">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-longest-flight-departs-singapore-for-new-york-171118"> after world's longest flight</a>

The world's longest commercial flight arrived in New York on Friday after a nearly 18-hour trip from Singapore, completing the world's longest commercial flight.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-high-court-judge-sacked-over-remarks-against-isi-171141">Pak High Court judge sacked over remarks against ISI</a>

A senior Pakistani judge, who was in line to become the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court next month, was sacked for his controversial statement that the country's powerful spy agency ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to get favourable decisions.

Turkey claims to have audio, video recordings to prove Khashoggi's murder: Report Turkey claims that it has audio and video recordings that prove the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi took place inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.

Turkey claims to have audio, video recordings to prove Khashoggi's murder: Report Turkey claims that it has audio and video recordings that prove the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi took place inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. A media report quoted a source as saying that the evidence Turkey has, shows signs of assault and struggle inside the consulate. Akshay Kumar says 'will not work with proven offenders', Sajid Khan steps down as 'Housefull 4' director Upcoming Bollywood film ‘Housefull 4’ finds itself in the middle of #MeToo controversy as director Sajid Khan steps down from his post in the wake of several sexual assault allegations levied against him. Kohli consolidates top position in ICC Test rankings, Windies' Roston Chase moves up India captain Virat Kohli, who struck 139 in India's massive win in the first Test against the West Indies, on Friday consolidated his position at the top of the Test rankings, moving within one point of his highest rating point of 937. Jetliner lands in US after world's longest flight The world's longest commercial flight arrived in New York on Friday after a nearly 18-hour trip from Singapore, completing the world's longest commercial flight. Pak High Court judge sacked over remarks against ISI A senior Pakistani judge, who was in line to become the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court next month, was sacked for his controversial statement that the country's powerful spy agency ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to get favourable decisions.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court has come out in support of the ongoing #MeToo movement currently <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/housefull-4-sajid-khan-steps-down-as-director-akshay-kumar-says-wont-work-with-proven-offenders-171068">sweeping the country's landscape</a>, saying the patriarchal world does not allow women to speak freely.

Justice Patel Thursday said he "fully supported" the women who had decided to share their experiences of sexual harassment and name their tormentors.

Speaking at an event organised by the women's wing of the Indian Merchants' Chamber in the city, Justice Patel cited the case of American actor and comedian Bill Cosby, who was convicted last month in a case of sexual assault that took place 14 years ago.

He said just as evidence was gathered and due process of law was followed by the authorities in Cosby's case, authorities in India also must ensure that the due legal process was followed in cases where women were naming their harassers and seeking action.

"I fully support women who are coming out and have the courage to speak because it takes lot of courage to speak at any time.

"Why women have not come forward is a very serious problem, and the reason is that because our world is so patriarchal and so biased that it does not allow our women to speak freely at times when they should or they could," he said.

"We now need to have a discussion on how we are going to get rid of this completely damaged, mocked system that we have of judging this cause," he said.

Though he steered clear of taking names or pointing out specific instances, Justice Patel said the judiciary was also plagued with "rampant sexism and the culture of patriarchy".

"This incessant bullying of women, no matter how competent they are is because they are women and this is the archetypal, nauseating patriarchy of our legal profession. It is not discussed, it happens everywhere.

"If I find a male lawyer trying to intimidate a female lawyer, I must never allow that to happen...The effort must be to strive towards gender neutrality," he said.

Justice Patel also used the occasion to draw one's attention to overburdened courts, another problem faced by the country's judiciary.

"By December 2019, eleven judges (of the Bombay High Court) will retire and there are only four names finalised by now. We are going to be in lot of trouble," he said.&nbsp;

Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court has come out in support of the ongoing #MeToo movement currently sweeping the country's landscape, saying the patriarchal world does not allow women to speak freely.

Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court has come out in support of the ongoing #MeToo movement currently sweeping the country's landscape, saying the patriarchal world does not allow women to speak freely. Justice Patel Thursday said he "fully supported" the women who had decided to share their experiences of sexual harassment and name their tormentors. Speaking at an event organised by the women's wing of the Indian Merchants' Chamber in the city, Justice Patel cited the case of American actor and comedian Bill Cosby, who was convicted last month in a case of sexual assault that took place 14 years ago. He said just as evidence was gathered and due process of law was followed by the authorities in Cosby's case, authorities in India also must ensure that the due legal process was followed in cases where women were naming their harassers and seeking action. "I fully support women who are coming out and have the courage to speak because it takes lot of courage to speak at any time. "Why women have not come forward is a very serious problem, and the reason is that because our world is so patriarchal and so biased that it does not allow our women to speak freely at times when they should or they could," he said. "We now need to have a discussion on how we are going to get rid of this completely damaged, mocked system that we have of judging this cause," he said. Though he steered clear of taking names or pointing out specific instances, Justice Patel said the judiciary was also plagued with "rampant sexism and the culture of patriarchy". "This incessant bullying of women, no matter how competent they are is because they are women and this is the archetypal, nauseating patriarchy of our legal profession. It is not discussed, it happens everywhere. "If I find a male lawyer trying to intimidate a female lawyer, I must never allow that to happen...The effort must be to strive towards gender neutrality," he said. Justice Patel also used the occasion to draw one's attention to overburdened courts, another problem faced by the country's judiciary. "By December 2019, eleven judges (of the Bombay High Court) will retire and there are only four names finalised by now. We are going to be in lot of trouble," he said.

#MeToo: Bombay High Court judge says judiciary plagued with 'rampant sexism'

As the most female ministers have avoided&nbsp;commenting on sexual allegations levelled against minister of state for external affairs, MJ Akbar,&nbsp;Bharatiya Janata Party's women wing chief for Madhya Pradesh, Lata Kelkar came out in defence of Akbar in a press conference in Bhopal as she said, "I don't consider women journalists to be so innocent that anyone can misuse them".

"I welcome this MeToo campaign but I don't consider women journalists to be so innocent that anyone can misuse them," Kelkar told reporters as she was asked about the charges against the minister.

In the media interaction, she was also asked whether Akbar should resign from his post to which she responded saying that it wasn't for her to say and can only be decided by him and the party command.

However, she also said that she would have asked for the resignations after reporters asked for her reaction&nbsp;if similar allegations were levelled against a Congress leader.

As the #MeToo campaign is gathering momentum in the country, some women journalists came out and accused MJ Akbar of sexually harassing them during his stint as editor in two newspapers.

Akbar, whose resignation from the government is being demanded by opposition political parties and various others, has however not reacted to the allegations so far.

Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi came out in support of the #MeToo movement, saying it was about time that everyone learns to treat women with respect and dignity.

He also said he is happy that the space for those who don't treat women with respect and dignity is closing. 
&nbsp;

As the most female ministers have avoided commenting on sexual allegations levelled against minister of state for external affairs, MJ Akbar, Bharatiya Janata Party's women wing chief for Madhya Pradesh, Lata Kelkar came out in defence of Akbar in a press conference in Bhopal as she said, "I don't consider women journalists to be so innocent that anyone can misuse them".

As the most female ministers have avoided commenting on sexual allegations levelled against minister of state for external affairs, MJ Akbar, Bharatiya Janata Party's women wing chief for Madhya Pradesh, Lata Kelkar came out in defence of Akbar in a press conference in Bhopal as she said, "I don't consider women journalists to be so innocent that anyone can misuse them". "I welcome this MeToo campaign but I don't consider women journalists to be so innocent that anyone can misuse them," Kelkar told reporters as she was asked about the charges against the minister. In the media interaction, she was also asked whether Akbar should resign from his post to which she responded saying that it wasn't for her to say and can only be decided by him and the party command. However, she also said that she would have asked for the resignations after reporters asked for her reaction if similar allegations were levelled against a Congress leader. As the #MeToo campaign is gathering momentum in the country, some women journalists came out and accused MJ Akbar of sexually harassing them during his stint as editor in two newspapers. Akbar, whose resignation from the government is being demanded by opposition political parties and various others, has however not reacted to the allegations so far. Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi came out in support of the #MeToo movement, saying it was about time that everyone learns to treat women with respect and dignity. He also said he is happy that the space for those who don't treat women with respect and dignity is closing.

Don't consider women journalists to be so innocent: MP BJP's women's wing chief on allegations against MoS Akbar

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct but wants them to offer "hard evidence."

The comments from the 48-year-old Trump came in a wide-ranging interview given to ABC News last week in Kenya, during her four-nation solo trip to Africa.

"I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And also men, not just women," Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Wednesday by ABC on "Good Morning America."

But the first lady said accusers must back up their allegations with firm proof.

"We need to have really hard evidence," she told ABC.

"You cannot just say to somebody... 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'You did that to me.' Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right."

Her husband President Donald Trump has faced multiple allegations of infidelity and sexual harassment -- all claims he has repeatedly denied or swatted aside.&nbsp;

His latest pick for the US Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, saw his nomination nearly go up in flames after a university research psychologist accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teens.

Trump backed Kavanaugh, and the US Senate eventually confirmed him to the court after a protracted, rancorous nomination process.

Also in the ABC interview, the first lady talked about how her wish to work on certain projects has been stymied by organizations who do not approve of her husband's administration.

"I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others," Melania said. When asked to name some of the groups, she declined, saying only: "They know who they are." 
&nbsp;

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct but wants them to offer "hard evidence.

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct but wants them to offer "hard evidence." The comments from the 48-year-old Trump came in a wide-ranging interview given to ABC News last week in Kenya, during her four-nation solo trip to Africa. "I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And also men, not just women," Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Wednesday by ABC on "Good Morning America." But the first lady said accusers must back up their allegations with firm proof. "We need to have really hard evidence," she told ABC. "You cannot just say to somebody... 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'You did that to me.' Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right." Her husband President Donald Trump has faced multiple allegations of infidelity and sexual harassment -- all claims he has repeatedly denied or swatted aside. His latest pick for the US Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, saw his nomination nearly go up in flames after a university research psychologist accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teens. Trump backed Kavanaugh, and the US Senate eventually confirmed him to the court after a protracted, rancorous nomination process. Also in the ABC interview, the first lady talked about how her wish to work on certain projects has been stymied by organizations who do not approve of her husband's administration. "I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others," Melania said. When asked to name some of the groups, she declined, saying only: "They know who they are."

#MeToo: Melania Trump favours women but asks them for 'hard evidence'

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct, but wants them to offer "hard evidence."

The comments from the 48-year-old Trump came in a wide-ranging interview given to ABC News last week in Kenya, during her four-nation solo trip to Africa.

"I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And also men, not just women," Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Wednesday by ABC on "Good Morning America."

But the first lady said accusers must back up their allegations with firm proof.

"We need to have really hard evidence," she told ABC.

"You cannot just say to somebody... 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'You did that to me.' Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right."

Her husband President Donald Trump has faced multiple allegations of infidelity and sexual harassment -- all claims he has repeatedly denied or swatted aside.&nbsp;

His latest pick for the US Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, saw his nomination nearly go up in flames after a university research psychologist accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teens.

Trump backed Kavanaugh, and the US Senate eventually confirmed him to the court after a protracted, rancorous nomination process.

Also in the ABC interview, the first lady talked about how her wish to work on certain projects has been stymied by organizations who do not approve of her husband's administration.

"I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others," Melania said. When asked to name some of the groups, she declined, saying only: "They know who they are."

&nbsp;

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct, but wants them to offer "hard evidence.

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct, but wants them to offer "hard evidence." The comments from the 48-year-old Trump came in a wide-ranging interview given to ABC News last week in Kenya, during her four-nation solo trip to Africa. "I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And also men, not just women," Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Wednesday by ABC on "Good Morning America." But the first lady said accusers must back up their allegations with firm proof. "We need to have really hard evidence," she told ABC. "You cannot just say to somebody... 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'You did that to me.' Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right." Her husband President Donald Trump has faced multiple allegations of infidelity and sexual harassment -- all claims he has repeatedly denied or swatted aside. His latest pick for the US Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, saw his nomination nearly go up in flames after a university research psychologist accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teens. Trump backed Kavanaugh, and the US Senate eventually confirmed him to the court after a protracted, rancorous nomination process. Also in the ABC interview, the first lady talked about how her wish to work on certain projects has been stymied by organizations who do not approve of her husband's administration. "I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others," Melania said. When asked to name some of the groups, she declined, saying only: "They know who they are."

Melania on #MeToo: She supports women, but 'hard evidence' needed

US President Donald Trump has mocked the "#MeToo" movement, saying that he needs to censor himself due to the rules of this movement, which is being enforced by the press.

"There's an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I can't do it," Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase "the girl that got away".

"It's the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it," Trump said referring to the GOP's inability to win presidential elections earlier.

Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. "I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said?" he said imitating reporters.

"So, there is an expression, but we'll change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. That's pretty good," he said amidst applause from the audience.

US President Donald Trump has mocked the "#MeToo" movement, saying that he needs to censor himself due to the rules of this movement, which is being enforced by the press.

US President Donald Trump has mocked the "#MeToo" movement, saying that he needs to censor himself due to the rules of this movement, which is being enforced by the press. "There's an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I can't do it," Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase "the girl that got away". "It's the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it," Trump said referring to the GOP's inability to win presidential elections earlier. Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. "I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said?" he said imitating reporters. "So, there is an expression, but we'll change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. That's pretty good," he said amidst applause from the audience.

Donald Trump mocks #MeToo movement

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