Maliwal backs movement, urges survivors to report cases

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 10

Delhi Commission for Women cheif Swati Maliwal today lauded the #MeToo movement’s gradual progression in India urging survivors of sexual harassment to report their cases to the police and woman commissions.

On Twitter, Maliwal expressed satisfaction the way the #MeToo movement has picked up in the country after Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta again shared her account in a recent interview. Since then, a number of women have mustered courage and come forward to narrate their ordeal on various social media platforms.

“Really glad #MeToo movement has finally taken off in India. Urge all women & girls 2 freely report any sexual harassment to Police and Women Commissions. Your silence today only encourages the predators to continue their abuse. Speak out now for justice and saving others!” Maliwal tweeted.

Maliwal had also condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its “inaction” till now against several of its leaders, in roles of authority, who have openly given threats for life, made outrageous sexist remarks and embroiled in allegations of sexual harassment.

Among the most recent being that against Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, who has been charged with sexual harassment allegations by at least six women associated with the media and entertainment industry when he was an editor of a reputed newspaper. It was a journalist first who had accused him of sexual advances on which the BJP has maintained a stoke silence as of date.

“People who encourage beheading are BJP spokesperson, people having sexual harassment & rape charges are BJP ministers, people willing 2 abduct any girl 4 vote bank are BJP legislators. All have 1 thing common — no action against them. And this party claims to be most sanskari!” Maliwal tweeted.