M. J. Akbar

M. J. Akbar
Akbar at Halifax International Security Forum in 2014
Minister of State for External Affairs
In office 5 July 2016 – 17 October 2018
Prime Minister	Narendra Modi
Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha
In office June 2016 – 29 June 2022
Constituency	Madhya Pradesh
Personal details
Born	Mobasher Jawed Akbar (1951-01-11) 11 January 1951 (age 73) Telenipara, West Bengal, India
Political party	Indian National Congress (1989–2014) Bharatiya Janata Party (since 2014)
Occupation	Journalist, politician, writer

Mobasher Jawed Akbar (born 11 January 1951) is an Indian journalist and politician,^[1] who served as the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs until 17 October 2018. Akbar is a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha,^[2] and was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers by PM Narendra Modi on 5 July 2016. He is also a veteran Indian journalist and author of several books. He was a Member of Parliament between 1989 and 1991, and returned to public life in March 2014 when he joined the BJP and was appointed national spokesperson during the 2014 general elections that brought the party back to office with a simple majority under the leadership of Narendra Modi. In July 2015 he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand. During his long career in journalism, he launched, as editor, India's first weekly political news periodicals, including India Today, Headlines Today, The Telegraph, The Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle, among others.

He has written several non-fiction books, including a biography of Jawaharlal Nehru titled Nehru: The Making of India, a book on Kashmir titled Kashmir Behind the Vale, Riot After Riot and India: The Siege Within. He also authored The Shade of Swords, a history of jihad. Akbar has also authored fiction, such as Blood Brothers-A Family Saga (Fratelli Di Sangue, Italian translated version). Have Pen, Will Travel: Observations of a Globetrotter is a travelogue authored by him. His book 'Byline' consists of write-ups of bylines picked from his writings. His book Tinderbox: The past and future of Pakistan, in January 2012 discusses the themes of identity crisis and class struggles in Pakistan.^{[citation needed]} On 17 October 2018, Akbar resigned due to a number of sexual harassment allegations against him from numerous women who had worked with him over the years.^[3] Akbar has denied all such accusation and allegations.^[4]

He had filed a case against Priya Ramani for defamation who had accused Akbar of sexual harassment. Akbar had lost the case at the trial courts. As reported by Indian Express, court said, "A woman has the right to put grievances before any platform of her choice even after decades. Reading out the order, the court said that there are social stigma attached with the allegations. Society must understand the impact of sexual abuse and harassment on its victims." The court also mentioned that in case of grievances, a fresh appeal could be filed.^[5] While Akbar didn't comment on the decision, one of his lawyers Niharika Karanjawala remarked that they disagree with the court and will appeal.^[6] Akbar then approached the Delhi High Court and pleaded against the acquittal.^[7]