Very well written article. Hats off to Kaveri. Opportunistic, autocratic and without ethics as he may be, there is no second opinion for his well proven talents. But then that alone gets you nowhere. You need luck too. Fortune favoured MJ with both the hands; that possibly also is a cause for the amount of jealousy in the minds of many who lacked that luck. His compulsive predatory instincts rose out of the power he enjoyed and he really enjoyed the power. This factor makes even his well wishers to disdain him and openly criticize him. As for his reported sexual misbehaviour, it is, in all probability under-reported. Surely he wouldn’t be satisfied with just groping and kissing. Therefore, a rape may soon come up sooner or later. Ms. Gogoi must be appreciated for her ‘ME TOO’ report.
Be as it may, he is a useful diplomat with the middle-eastern countries nevertheless and the Government shouldn’t stop using his talents and contacts. The National good stands above his misbehaviour unless he gets charged with rape.
I absolutely unconditionally support this ‘#metoo’ movement. It is extremely heartening to finally see women showing long overdue courage and guts to speak publically and call out people howsoever powerful they might be. The sense of entitlement in most men in general of all social and economic strata and patriarchy in its myriad form that women are so familiar with, needed to be spoken about in the loudest possible manner. MJ Akbar is just the tip of the iceberg. We all know that this malaise is very deep rooted and there should be many many more so called high profile men from all professions that need to be called out and exposed. That is one of the many reasons that we are not witnessing the kind of unequivocal support that we expected from menfolk as a lot of them must be quaking in their boots.
Women I must admit have been complicit in perpetuating this predatory culture especially those women who were educated, financially empowered, liberated and considered themselves to be equal to menfolk. I understand it needs a lot of courage to speak up but truth can never be spoken in the absence of courage. According to me there could be no justification for these women to endure what they did for such a long time.. I am happy finally there would be a closure for their pain, hurt and humiliation.
To expect people like Me Akbar to not put up a fight according to me is very naive. To compare it to intimidation would be a little bit of a hyperbole. What do you expect men like this to do, suddenly feel remorseful and beg for forgiveness???
Very well written . Quite a learning to read these kind of write up which engages the readers deep enough . To write an article is one thing but to write an article as s story telling is surely a talent worth appreciating . Maza Aaya padh ke.
Well written, dissecting the character of MJA, and his background. There is no likelihood of smoke without fire. It cannot be that all the 20 women now accusing him, can be all wrong or doing it for publicity. There is probably some truth in his behavior towards women – toxic masculinity, what a description of men who are predators ! Let the courts decide the guilt, however the predators of the past and those waiting in the wings to be future ones, heed this warning of the courage of women now to expose the misdeeds behind closed doors
The fellow was, and is a despicable and sleazy cad. Seriously deficient in moral fibre, his “success” as a journalist is no redeeming thing. By the way, his book on Nehru was just his ploy to get to be in the good graces of 10, JP. It is replete with deliberate half-truths and concealments designed to make sure JN looks good, and ensure the aim of his book-project is secured. // As to his eventual exposure, – his defrocking and shaming to put it properly, Akbar had it coming. His bluster and fuming belligerence is as bogus as that man is.
The fellow was and is a despicable cad. Seriously deficient in moral fibre, his “success” as a journalist is no redeeming thing. By the way, his book in Nehru was just his way of getting o be in the good graces of 10, JP. It is replete with deliberate half-truths and concealments to make sure JN looks good. // As to his eventual exposure, – defrocking and shaming to put it properly, Akbar had it coming. His bluster and fuming belligerence is as bogus as the man is. Out! Swine.
This is going to be a very long battle, if not war. And, it has just begun. It is tempting to take sides, appear to support the ‘Me Too’ revolution by taking the tide at its flood now, and condemn Akbar. But, it would be unwise to do so. The matter, as politicians are fond of saying when they want to evade embarrassing questions, is now ‘sub judice’. The TV debates, blogs, articles and oped columns will be awash with finger pointing wise men and women ( to say nothing of LOUD anchors). But, a Judge will decide who is credible, and who the victim here. I am one of his legion of admirers, and am sorry that he has to face all this at this stage of his long and distinguished innings; it will be very difficult for Akbar to regain what seems to be at stake here, regardless of the final decision of the Court. But, let the chips fall where they may. They have to. C’est la vie.
i object to your characterization of CBS as “posh” school. it was populated by middle class Bengalis – the rich ones went to Doon school etc.It was totally focused on Academics and in Clifford Hicks, the legendary headmaster, there was a strong focus on “moral” behavior
This is not to say that Akbar may not have been frivolous in his behaviour with women (most of which dates back to pre-1997 era), and perhaps failed to be a good mentor when he got the opportunity, but the author seems to be scavenging on a fall-guy for a deep-rooted social malaise. The piece is highly judgmental and peremptory.
On Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil, the latter being symbolically incinerated at dusk, it would be fair to place his journalism and his personal conduct into two silos, not let the brilliance of one be subsumed by the tawdriness of the other. He will have his day in court. So will the women, no longer young and vulnerable.
Very well written article. Hats off to Kaveri. Opportunistic, autocratic and without ethics as he may be, there is no second opinion for his well proven talents. But then that alone gets you nowhere. You need luck too. Fortune favoured MJ with both the hands; that possibly also is a cause for the amount of jealousy in the minds of many who lacked that luck. His compulsive predatory instincts rose out of the power he enjoyed and he really enjoyed the power. This factor makes even his well wishers to disdain him and openly criticize him. As for his reported sexual misbehaviour, it is, in all probability under-reported. Surely he wouldn’t be satisfied with just groping and kissing. Therefore, a rape may soon come up sooner or later. Ms. Gogoi must be appreciated for her ‘ME TOO’ report.
Be as it may, he is a useful diplomat with the middle-eastern countries nevertheless and the Government shouldn’t stop using his talents and contacts. The National good stands above his misbehaviour unless he gets charged with rape.
I liked this very well written article. Thanks Ma’am
Almost a mini biography of MJ Akbar. And one that does not really take sides openly.
its an excellent piece
Now that the elephant is dead every ass will kick at it.
I absolutely unconditionally support this ‘#metoo’ movement. It is extremely heartening to finally see women showing long overdue courage and guts to speak publically and call out people howsoever powerful they might be. The sense of entitlement in most men in general of all social and economic strata and patriarchy in its myriad form that women are so familiar with, needed to be spoken about in the loudest possible manner. MJ Akbar is just the tip of the iceberg. We all know that this malaise is very deep rooted and there should be many many more so called high profile men from all professions that need to be called out and exposed. That is one of the many reasons that we are not witnessing the kind of unequivocal support that we expected from menfolk as a lot of them must be quaking in their boots.
Women I must admit have been complicit in perpetuating this predatory culture especially those women who were educated, financially empowered, liberated and considered themselves to be equal to menfolk. I understand it needs a lot of courage to speak up but truth can never be spoken in the absence of courage. According to me there could be no justification for these women to endure what they did for such a long time.. I am happy finally there would be a closure for their pain, hurt and humiliation.
To expect people like Me Akbar to not put up a fight according to me is very naive. To compare it to intimidation would be a little bit of a hyperbole. What do you expect men like this to do, suddenly feel remorseful and beg for forgiveness???
Very well written . Quite a learning to read these kind of write up which engages the readers deep enough . To write an article is one thing but to write an article as s story telling is surely a talent worth appreciating . Maza Aaya padh ke.
The justice here is disproportionate to the crime.
Well written, dissecting the character of MJA, and his background. There is no likelihood of smoke without fire. It cannot be that all the 20 women now accusing him, can be all wrong or doing it for publicity. There is probably some truth in his behavior towards women – toxic masculinity, what a description of men who are predators ! Let the courts decide the guilt, however the predators of the past and those waiting in the wings to be future ones, heed this warning of the courage of women now to expose the misdeeds behind closed doors
The fellow was, and is a despicable and sleazy cad. Seriously deficient in moral fibre, his “success” as a journalist is no redeeming thing. By the way, his book on Nehru was just his ploy to get to be in the good graces of 10, JP. It is replete with deliberate half-truths and concealments designed to make sure JN looks good, and ensure the aim of his book-project is secured. // As to his eventual exposure, – his defrocking and shaming to put it properly, Akbar had it coming. His bluster and fuming belligerence is as bogus as that man is.
The fellow was and is a despicable cad. Seriously deficient in moral fibre, his “success” as a journalist is no redeeming thing. By the way, his book in Nehru was just his way of getting o be in the good graces of 10, JP. It is replete with deliberate half-truths and concealments to make sure JN looks good. // As to his eventual exposure, – defrocking and shaming to put it properly, Akbar had it coming. His bluster and fuming belligerence is as bogus as the man is. Out! Swine.
This is going to be a very long battle, if not war. And, it has just begun. It is tempting to take sides, appear to support the ‘Me Too’ revolution by taking the tide at its flood now, and condemn Akbar. But, it would be unwise to do so. The matter, as politicians are fond of saying when they want to evade embarrassing questions, is now ‘sub judice’. The TV debates, blogs, articles and oped columns will be awash with finger pointing wise men and women ( to say nothing of LOUD anchors). But, a Judge will decide who is credible, and who the victim here. I am one of his legion of admirers, and am sorry that he has to face all this at this stage of his long and distinguished innings; it will be very difficult for Akbar to regain what seems to be at stake here, regardless of the final decision of the Court. But, let the chips fall where they may. They have to. C’est la vie.
i object to your characterization of CBS as “posh” school. it was populated by middle class Bengalis – the rich ones went to Doon school etc.It was totally focused on Academics and in Clifford Hicks, the legendary headmaster, there was a strong focus on “moral” behavior
This is not to say that Akbar may not have been frivolous in his behaviour with women (most of which dates back to pre-1997 era), and perhaps failed to be a good mentor when he got the opportunity, but the author seems to be scavenging on a fall-guy for a deep-rooted social malaise. The piece is highly judgmental and peremptory.
On Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil, the latter being symbolically incinerated at dusk, it would be fair to place his journalism and his personal conduct into two silos, not let the brilliance of one be subsumed by the tawdriness of the other. He will have his day in court. So will the women, no longer young and vulnerable.
You people are so eager to privet him guilty.. Please don’t be a judge, let the court decide.