*NEW DELHI: India’s Union minister M.J. Akbar filed a defamation suitagainst one of at least 10 women accusing him of sexual harassment onMonday, calling her allegations false and malicious.*

The lawsuit names journalist Priya Ramani as the sole accused and says thatshe “intentionally put forward malicious, fabricated and salacious”allegations to harm his reputation.

Ramani was not immediately reachable for comment.

The lawsuit comes amid widespread calls on social media for Akbar’sresignation from his post as the minister of state for external affairs.

Akbar, 67, a veteran editor who founded several publications, has beenaccused of a range of inappropriate behaviour by female journalists whopreviously worked as his subordinates.

Many journalists have called for Akbar to be sacked and have threatened toboycott events he is attending until he resigns.

More than 200 protesters from the youth wing of the opposition Congressparty waved placards and chanted slogans outside Akbar’s Delhi home onMonday. Some jumped barricades and clashed with police and dozens weredetained.

Akbar is one of the highest-profile figures so far to face accusations inIndia’s burgeoning #MeToo movement.

Several powerful men from the worlds of media, entertainment and the artshave been snared in sexual harassment and assault allegations, which haveled to a string of ousters.

In a one-page statement on Sunday, Akbar described allegations against himas “wild and baseless” and questioned if they were politically motivated.

“Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is therean agenda? You be the judge,” he said in the statement.

Shutapa Paul, one of the women who has accused Akbar of sexual misconduct,told Reuters on Sunday that she was dismayed by Akbar’s response.

“Akbar’s brazen shaming of all of us is evidence of his sense ofentitlement and power. I feel let down by the powers that be,” Paul said.“Truth and justice will prevail.” – Agencies