India's junior foreign minister has resigned following allegations by more than a dozen female journalists of sexual harassment when he was the editor of prominent newspapers. He has dismissed the allegations as "baseless and fabricated."
M.J. Akbar's resignation is the highest profile since a #MeToo movement gathered momentum in India with women accusing prominent men in the media and entertainment industries of sexually inappropriate behavior.
Akbar stepped down two days after he filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against journalist Priya Ramani, the first to name him for sexual misconduct.
"Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations against me," Akbar said in a statement.
Ramani said she looks forward to getting justice in court, tweeting, "As women we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar's resignation."
The women who have accused Akbar of inappropriate behavior include journalists who are now in prominent roles in the media industry.
