THE Delhi Union of Journalists’ newly re-constituted gender council, in a statement issued on December 13, has welcomed the move by the Editors Guild of India to suspend from its membership journalist-turned-politician MJ Akbar until the defamation case he filed against the woman journalist Priya Ramani is decided. She had written an expose alleging sexual harassment by him. Akbar now stands accused of sexual harassment and exploitation by at least 20 women journalists.  It also welcomes the suspension of Tarun Tejpal.

Gender Equity Council chairperson Sujata Madhok and DUJ president SK Pande welcomed the suspensions as a step in the right direction, though somewhat belated.

The Gender Council notes that there was an outcry after last month’s updated list of Editors Guild members which had included both these persons. These cases, we believe, stand as warning to others, both fellow journalists and news sources, to treat women in the profession with due dignity and equality. No one, howsoever high or low, is immune from the law of the land, the statement said.

The DUJ Gender Equity Council was reconstituted on December 8, in keeping with recent DUJ tradition.