Opposition parties termed as "victory of truth" the resignation of Union Minister M J Akbar following charges of sexual harassment against him. While Congress remarked that it salutes the women who stood on their charges against the Minister bravely despite the "brazen" stance taken by the Government, Left parties said it was victory for the #MeToo movement and the protests carried out by them against the journalist-turned-politician.
Aam Admi Party (AAP) too hailed the women who accused Akbar of "sexual harassment" and said his resignation "completely exposed" the 'Chaal, Charitra and Chehra' of the ruling BJP at the Centre.
"This resignation is a vindication of the power of truth. More strength to India's women," said Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi. Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev termed Akbar's stepping down as a "moral victory" for everyone and sought support for the #MeToo movement across party lines.
The Congress leader hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what she said was his "silence" in the matter. "I salute these women who stood their ground despite the brazen stance of the GoI, silence of the PM who speaks about women empowerment, the arrogant misuse of power by deploying a battery of lawyers against one woman and allowing the accused to continue in his role," Chaturvedi said.
The CPI and the women's wing of CPI-M, however, said Akbar should have resigned early and the action has come "too late". "I think the Modi Government was compelled to ask M J Akbar to resign from the Union Ministry as the #MeToo movement gained momentum in the country. He should have resigned on the first day when his former colleagues made sexual harassment allegations against him," CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy said.
CPI Secretary D Raja said, "The resignation can be called a moral victory for all those women who have suffered such sexual harassment". He said the social atmosphere in the country was such that women can get the confidence to speak up against the sexual harassment faced by them.
All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) general secretary Mariam Dhawale termed Akbar's resignation as a victory of women bodies.
Reacting to Akbar's resignation, AAP spokesperson Dilip Pandey said the action was "not sufficient" and demanded criminal proceedings against him. "Mere resignation by Akbar is not sufficient considering gravity of allegations against him. Criminal proceedings must be started against him," Pandey said.