The most high profile name that has featured in the 'Me Too' movement that gathered pace in India in the last three weeks is central minister MJ Akbar. The minister who has been forced to resign, like many others, has been condescending of the movement. And now his cabinet colleague, BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has joined the list of people ridiculing a movement that has empowered many women to speak up.
According to Pon Radhakrishnan, the Me Too movement was propagated by people with crooked thoughts.
"Me Too movement is propagated by people with crooked thoughts," he declared.
Saying that Me Too movement cannot be accepted, he said, "If someone claims that something happened when you and a woman were studying in class five, would you accept it? What if men start pointing fingers at the women in our household and say similar things happened? What would happen to the dignity of those women? Would you accept it?"
He was speaking to reporters during a visit to Kurumbapatti village in Karur district for inaugurating a central scheme.
There are many others who have echoed the minister's thoughts in an attempt to belittle the movement. Actor Radha Ravi recently made a condescending speech about the movement.
In Tamil Nadu, lyricist Vairamuthu was one of the first big names to be accused of sexual harassment. He responded to allegations made by singer Chinmayi and others saying that politically motivated people were targeting him.