In a provocative remark, union minister Pon Radhakrishnan on Wednesday (October 17) said that the #MeToo movement was started by “people with pervert minds”. The comment made by the BJP minister was in response to the questions posed by reporters on the sidelines of the raging #MeToo movement in the country.

“If someone makes an allegation that such a thing happened... when the incident happened we were playing together while in Class 5. Would it be fair? (SIC)” Radhakrishnan said. “This (MeToo movement) is the result of the behaviour of some people who have pervert minds,” he added.

The union minister further stated that he wonders if it will be right for men to start making related accusations like them. “That will be such a big insult, will it be acceptable?” questioned Radhakrishnan.

The #MeToo movement has intensified over the past few days as many women have courageously come out with their stories about harassment and sexual abuse at the workplace.

MJ Akbar on Wednesday (October 17) stepped down as union minister of state for external affairs between a flurry of sexual harassment allegations, which was put up against him. Several other celebrities including Alok Nath, Nana Patekar, author Chetan Bhagat, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, senior journalist Vinod Dua are one among the few, who have been called out by their alleged victims.