Alphons cautions against ‘frivolous’ complaints in wake of #MeToo movement

#MeToo was a "good movement" as whatever "inappropriate" has taken place should come out in public domain, said Union Minister K Alphons on Friday. He however, cautioned against "frivolous" complaints by "insincere" people with an agenda. Commenting on the resignation of MJ Akbar, Alphons said the prospects of BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will not be affected by the move taken by Akbar in the wake of sexual harassment charges.

"People should be extremely careful when they raise an allegation. Yes, something inappropriate has taken place, it should be in public domain. There should not be any doubt about it, but I hope frivolous complaints are not raised by insincere people to fix people whom they do not like," the tourism minister said.

There was no private life for politicians and they obviously have to be accountable, said the minister while in Bengaluru to attend an interaction event organised by an NGO to support flood-hit people of Kerala.

"If we respect our freedom, I should respect others freedom. Isn't it? How could anybody force oneself on somebody else? I think that is completely inappropriate. Whatever it is," he said.

The government took "prompt action" in the case of Akbar, said Alphons as he responded to a question.

"...no time was lost by the government in take action against the minister (Akbar). He had been abroad. You don't sack a minister when he is abroad," he said.

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Asked if there should be regulations on twitter and other social media platforms, Alphons said there was no room for it in a democracy, adding people using these platforms should be responsible and avoid posting "lies to assassinate people's characters".

MJ Akbar had resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs on October 17 following allegations of sexual assault against him by several women journalists.

The Union Minister has filed a defamation case against Priya Ramani, dismissing her charges as a "figment of imagination" and intended to "malign" his reputation.