File Picture : Deccan Chronicle
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement that is sweeping across urban India said that the government would form a four-member committee of retired judges to conduct public hearings of #MeToo cases.
The minister also proposed a committee with senior judicial, legal persons to look into all issues emanating from #MeToo.
Immediately after sexual harassemnt accusations against Mos Home MJ Akbar broke three days ago, Maneka Gandhi called for an investigation into the allegations, becoming the first union minister to lend her voice against Akbar.
There must be an investigation. Men in position of power often indulge in such acts, Maneka told a news channel, reacting to allegations levelled on the editor-turned-politician by at nearly 10 women journalists.
Maneka noted that women in India have so far been scared to speak up against such behaviour. Now when women have gathered the courage to speak up, the allegations must be taken seriously, she said.
She also reiterated her earlier stand that all sort of allegations of sexual misconduct must be investigated whenever they come to light, no matter how dated they are. I even wrote to the Law Ministry to scrap the time frame clause in the law as far as sexual harassment allegations are concerned, said Maneka.
