He had to go

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He had to go

Friday, 19 October 2018 | Pioneer

Talented editor MJ Akbar’s departure from public office was his own doing

Mobashar Javed Akbar is credited with coining the term “unputdownable” in the context of The Telegraph newspaper which he launched over four decades ago. All these years his persona seemed to perfectly fit his own coinage. A flamboyant, dare-devil Editor, who charted a new course in contemporary journalism, busting conventions and making his own rules, Akbar ascended the pinnacles of fame as a journalist, Editor and author. When he migrated to politics, his journey was no less spectacular. Winning his first Lok Sabha election as a Congress nominee from Kishanganj in Bihar, he soon became Rajiv Gandhi's blue-eyed boy, not just Congress party spokesman. Not one to be “put down” when his party went under, Akbar deftly changed sides, caught Prime Minister Narendra Modi's eye and was chosen as BJP's candidate for the Rajya Sabha first from Jharkhand and later Madhya Pradesh. Deep knowledge of contemporary Indian history and politics and an enviable degree of articulation combined to make his march up the ladder unstoppable even in the BJP. There were few surprises when the Prime Minister inducted him as Minister of State of External Affairs, a job he was performing with characteristic aplomb, although many felt that several talented insiders were overlooked due to Modi's fascination for him. But when his past caught up with Akbar, few came to his defence. The narratives of a succession of former employees of organisations he served as Editor caused grievous embarrassment to the Government and the BJP. Not a novice in the arena of controversy, Akbar predictably sought to brazen out the mounting charges of sexual harassment at the workplace by his ex-colleagues. The narratives were so graphic that their veracity could hardly be challenged, although it is unclear if he actually indulged in criminal intimacy (as defined by law) against a woman's will.

Considering the wide respect he commanded among a large section of journalists especially in the 1970s and 80s, Akbar may have done better to step down from his official position before these sexotic tales gained currency. Arguably many big names in the entertainment industry have also be drawn into the vortex of India's latest variant of a “Me-too” movement, but Akbar was the only person holding a public office to be thus arraigned. Clearly, BJP president Amit Shah erred in his judgment when he averred that no action would be taken against Akbar without a proper inquiry, thereby ruling out his early removal from the Ministry. But with the alleged victims banding together and deciding to take up his challenge to fight out issues in court, the Government's options ran out. It would have been particularly awkward for a Minister to appear in court to face a battery of sexually explicit charges. In these circumstances, it is only proper that one of India's most celebrated contemporary editors demitted public office, something he would have been better advised to do as soon as the first whiff of the scandalous accusations became public. Given his fund of talent and aggressive temperament, he may yet live up to the unputdownable tag. But any which way, this episode will go out as a huge warning to many wannabe Akbars who still believe they can get away verbally or physically molesting vulnerable women using their superior authority. Hopefully India's workplaces will be somewhat safer for women hereafter.

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