Amid the #MeToo storm, Congress president Rahul Gandhi broke his silence on the issue and came out in support of the anti-abuse movement, saying it was about time that everyone learns to treat women with respect and dignity.

Gandhi also said he is happy that the space for those who don't treat women with respect and dignity is closing.

The #MeToo movement has gathered pace over the last fortnight with scores of women speaking out on sexual harassment at the workplace and support pouring in from various quarters. 

"It's about time everyone learns to treat women with respect and dignity. I'm glad the space for those who don't, is closing. The truth needs to be told loud and clear in order to bring about change," Gandhi tweeted along with the MeToo hashtag.

 

It’s about time everyone learns to treat women with respect and dignity.

I’m glad the space for those who don't, is closing. The truth needs to be told loud and clear in order to bring about change. #MeToo

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 12, 2018

Demands have escalated for action against Union minister MJ Akbar, who has been accused by several former women colleagues of sexual harassment when he served as editor at various media organisations.

On Thursday, Union Minister Smriti Irani declined to comment directly on the allegations of sexual harassment against Akbar.

Parrying questions about whether the junior foreign minister would be asked to exit, she said the minister would be "in a better position to speak" on the allegations.

"I think the gentleman concerned would be in a better position to speak. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues, but I think that it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement, not for me as I was not present there," said the Union Textile Minister. She, however, came out in support of the #MeToo campaign, where women have shared their stories of harassment. "My only appeal is that anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, victimised or mocked," she stressed.

Earlier Maneka Gandhi, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, had asked for taking the issue seriously and demanded an investigation. Irani also noted that it must be difficult for women to speak out. "Women go to work to live their dreams and earn a respectable living. More and more women are winning support. I feel there are enough instruments to deliver justice. Hope these women get justice," she said. "I feel there are enough instruments in our judicial and police systems to deliver justice and I am hopeful that all these ladies who are speaking out get, due to due process, the justice that they deserve," she added.