Verdict in Priya Ramani case will give more women courage to speak up against abuse: activists
New Delhi: Activists and lawyers were among the scores of people to welcome a Delhi court's decision to acquit journalist Priya Ramani in the defemation case filed against her by former Union minister M J Akbar, against whom she had made allegations of sexual harassment, saying the verdict will give courage to more women to speak up against abuse and exploitation.
A Delhi court on Wednesday acquitted journalist Ramani in Akbar's criminal defamation case against her over the allegations of sexual harassment, saying a woman has the right to put grievances before any platform of her choice even after decades.
Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association, said the verdict empowers women.
"Bravo #PriyaRamani. Your abuser @mjakbar hit you with a SLAP suit but you stand vindicated. Verdict empowers women, saying we should understand that sometimes a victim may for years not speak up due to mental trauma, cannot be punished for raising her voice against sexual abuse," she tweeted.
Yogita Bhayana, an activist who heads the People Against Rape in India (PARI), said the verdict will encourage more women to come forward.
"It is ironic that we are celebrating that the victim was not sent to jail. But it is a positive step and it will encourage more women to come forward and open up about their abuse. It will help more working women to speak up," she told PTI.
Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy said this #MeToo victory sets an important precedent for truth, spoken in the public interest.
"Congratulations, Priya Ramani, Ghazala and all those who spoke up. This #MeToo victory sets an important precedent for truth, spoken in the public interest," she tweeted.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising called the verdict a big win for women.
"Congratulations to Priya Ramani and her able legal team led by Rabecca John, a big win for women in general and for her in particular. Thank you Priya for speaking up when you did. This is a big victory for the #MeToo movement," she tweeted.
Netizens also welcomed the verdict.
"A day to remember that #MeToo is not a movement. It's a consciousness about demanding and expecting safe workplaces, whether at home or outside. Women, who can, must always stand up for themselves, and for those who are unable to stand for themselves #PriyaRamani," a Twitter user said.
Another Twitter user said the truth has prevailed. "Truth prevails. What a resounding victory for India's women, for all who spoke up and continue to do so. For Priya Ramani for refusing to be intimidated and giving courage to so many more who will continue to speak up. #MeToo #TimesUp," another user tweeted.
Ramani had made allegations of sexual misconduct against Akbar in the wake of #MeToo movement in 2018.
Akbar had filed the complaint against Ramani on October 15, 2018 for allegedly defaming him by accusing him of sexual misconduct decades ago. He resigned as a Union minister on October 17, 2018.
He has denied all the allegations of sexual harassment of the women who came forward against him during the #MeToo campaign.
Bravo #PriyaRamani. Your abuser @mjakbar hit you with a SLAPP suit but you stand vindicated. Verdict empowers women, saying we shd "understand that sometimes a victim may for years not speak up due to mental trauma, cannot be punished for raising her voice against sexual abuse." pic.twitter.com/6pQZbc7epP
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) February 17, 2021
Congratulations, Priya Ramani, Ghazala and all those who spoke up. This #MeToo victory sets an important precedent for truth, spoken in the public interest. https://t.co/9sPi5YrRwE
— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) February 17, 2021
Congratulations to Priya Ramani and her able legal team led by Rabecca Jhon , a big win for women in general and for her in particular . Thank you Priya for speaking up when you did . This is a big victory for the #MeToo movement
— Indira Jaising (@IJaising) February 17, 2021
A day to remember that #MeToo is not a movement. It's a consciousness about demanding and expecting safe workplaces, whether at home or outside. Women, who can, must always stand up for themselves, and for those who are unable to stand for themselves #PriyaRamani
— Ghazala Wahab (@ghazalawahab) February 17, 2021
Truth prevails. What a resounding victory for India’s women, for all who spoke up and continue to do so. For Priya Ramani for refusing to be intimidated and giving courage to so many more who will continue to speak up. #MeToo #TimesUp
— Namita Bhandare (@namitabhandare) February 17, 2021
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
