“I feel amazing… I feel vindicated.. It feels amazing to have your truth validated in court of law” Says Priya Ramani after acquittal by Delhi Court in MJ Akbar defamation case.
India is one of the greatest democratic countries with lots of cultural heritage and variance. Gandhiji said that when a woman can be able to walk at night with full of ornaments then only India will attain its independence completely. In recent times violence against women has been increased in a larger rate in India.
Various cases regarding sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and tortures are happening in public places, work places and even during travel. #MeToo movement has been created for women to open up their harassments and legally ask justice for the misbehavior of the accused.
Priya Ramani is a successful journalist and she informed about a sexual misconduct which has been happened to her in 1993 in her journal publication. In that article she stated that she had been sexually harassed by her former boss during a job interview. Later in 2018, she revealed the name of MJ Akbar the former Union minister and filed a case under MeToo movement against him.
Mr Akbar headed Asian Age at that time and insisted Priya for a job interview at hotel room and misbehaved in an inappropriate manner. During October 2018, MJ Akbar filed a defamation case against her after being accused. He alleged a 41 page defamation case that he spoiled the reputation which had been built for the past 40 years.
The former Union minister also resigned his position on 17th October 2018. More than 20 women raised their voices supporting the Metoo movement. Although he refused every voices which came against him and said that Priya allegations were imaginary and done this to break down his reputation in the society.
The judgment of this case came today and acquitted in the defamation case.
The court said “it is really a shameful act for the country that the crime against women and there is a systematic abuse has been increasing in an alarming rate even knowing about great epics likes Ramayana and Mahabharatha which implies about the respect that have to be given to a woman” .
The court proceeded a judgment in favor of Priya Ramani in the defamation case filed by MJ Akbar. The defense senior lawyer Rebecca John of this case said- “ the judgement given was absolutely right adding up to the words of Priya Ramani. The observations made were very clear from her side and hats off to her effort of opening up of this misconduct. The defense of truth has been vindicated and therefore Priya Ramani has been acquitted and celebrating their victory with great pleasure”.
After that Priya stated- “it’s been amazing that she has been vindicated. She quoted that after this incident she believe that more number of women speak about the harassment which has been happening in workplace”.
“This battle has been about women and hasn’t been about me. I just happen to represent all the women who spoke up, the women who spoke up before me and who spoke up after me.” said Priya Ramani
“So I thought it’s a very apt judgement”
“The judgement will definitely… I think my victory will definitely encourage more women to speak up and it will also make powerful men think twice before thyy take victims to court. Don’t forget I was the accused in this case.. And I was accused just for speaking up” said Priya.
She also said “after this incident less number of men bullies women who speak up by filing such false cases and young women should definitely speak up. I feel that it is a great victory of truth, victory of women as well as victory of MeToo movement. The impact will remain for the women who will speak up in future and it will make the powerful men to think twice before they take victims to court”.
