NEW DELHI: Pallavi Gogoi, the former Asian Age journalist who has levelled rape allegations against former Union Minister of State for External Affairs M. J. Akbar, on Thursday quashed the latter's claims that their relationship was once consensual.
In a remark, Pallavi stated, "Rather than take responsibility for his abuse of me and his serial predation of other young women who have courageously come forward, Akbar has insisted - just like other infamous serial sexual abusers of women - that the relationship was consensual. It was not."
She further said that "a relationship that is based on coercion, and abuse of power, is not consensual," adding, "I stand by every word in my published account. I will continue to speak my truth so that other women who have been sexually assaulted by him know it is okay for them to come forward and speak their truth too."
In a piece of writing published on November 1 in the Washington Post, Pallavi narrated how Akbar had allegedly raped her in a Jaipur lodge around 23 years in the past, again when the two were colleagues on the Asian Age. She additionally made claims of several other incidents of sexual harassment by means of Akbar all over their time on the newsletter.
Pallavi was once 22 when she joined the Asian Age, where Akbar was once the editor.
This was once the primary example of a rape allegation being levelled at the former Minister, despite the fact that a variety of circumstances of sexual harassment surfaced against him as a part of India's #MeToo firestorm.
In response, Akbar denied the allegations and stated that he and Pallavi had "entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months," adding that their relationship brought about "significant strife in his" non-public life as well.
Akbar's spouse, Mallika, corroborated his model of the tale, pointing out that his relationship with the scribe brought about numerous discord and sadness of their marital life as there were a variety of past due evening phone calls and public display of affection between the two.
In a remark, Pallavi stated, "Rather than take responsibility for his abuse of me and his serial predation of other young women who have courageously come forward, Akbar has insisted - just like other infamous serial sexual abusers of women - that the relationship was consensual. It was not."
She further said that "a relationship that is based on coercion, and abuse of power, is not consensual," adding, "I stand by every word in my published account. I will continue to speak my truth so that other women who have been sexually assaulted by him know it is okay for them to come forward and speak their truth too."
My remark: https://t.co/7xoADdIHoX
— Pallavi Gogoi (@pgogoi) 1541184064000In a piece of writing published on November 1 in the Washington Post, Pallavi narrated how Akbar had allegedly raped her in a Jaipur lodge around 23 years in the past, again when the two were colleagues on the Asian Age. She additionally made claims of several other incidents of sexual harassment by means of Akbar all over their time on the newsletter.
Pallavi was once 22 when she joined the Asian Age, where Akbar was once the editor.
This was once the primary example of a rape allegation being levelled at the former Minister, despite the fact that a variety of circumstances of sexual harassment surfaced against him as a part of India's #MeToo firestorm.
In response, Akbar denied the allegations and stated that he and Pallavi had "entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months," adding that their relationship brought about "significant strife in his" non-public life as well.
Akbar's spouse, Mallika, corroborated his model of the tale, pointing out that his relationship with the scribe brought about numerous discord and sadness of their marital life as there were a variety of past due evening phone calls and public display of affection between the two.
#MeToo: Pallavi Gogoi refutes Akbar's 'consensual relationship' claim
![#MeToo: Pallavi Gogoi refutes Akbar's 'consensual relationship' claim]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
November 03, 2018
Rating:
