New Delhi: Following allegations of sexual harassment, Prashant Jha has stepped down as the political editor and bureau chief of the Hindustan Times (HT). In an email to editorial staff, HT editor-in-chief Sukumar wrote:
“Hi all, Prashant Jha has stepped down as the Chief of Bureau and Political Editor of Hindustan Times with immediate effect. The bureau will report to me for the time being.”
A former Hindustan Times correspondent, Avantika Mehta had accused Jha of harassment. She posted screenshots of Whatsapp conversations between her and Jha on Twitter.
I’m the ex-lawyer HT correspondent mentioned in @MasalaBai’s story. This thread includes photos of my conversation with prashant jha. you will notice I do everything and beyond to not piss him off while he says he wants to hit on me
— Avantika Mehta (@bitingfriends) October 6, 2018
— Avantika Mehta (@bitingfriends) October 6, 2018
“I was as nice as I could be because my little experience in Delhi has taught me pissing off a man who’s considered a darling journalist will have shit repercussions for my career and/or I’ll be at the receiving end of his friend’s wrath or laughter.”
Also read: Dark Underbelly of Indian Media Revealed as Scores of Journalists Say #MeToo
Mehta later clarified that the conversations were from 2017, when she was no longer an employee of the Hindustan Times.
Jha is one of the first high-profile figures named to step down from his role since the #MeToo movement hit the Indian media. In his email to the HT editor-in-chief, he wrote:
“There have been specific allegations against me – and my personal conduct – recently, which have raised moral questions about my conduct. In this backdrop, I believe it would be best for me to step down from the position of the National Political Editor/Chief of Bureau of the Hindustan Times. I would not like the organisation to suffer, in the least, because of any allegations I face.”
Responding to The Wire‘s queries, the organisation’s general counsel Dinesh Mital confirmed that the management has accepted Jha’s offer to step down pending inquiry. While Jha continues to be a part of the media group, an investigation led by their internal complaints committee has been set in motion.
We have also sent a questionnaire to the HT editor-in-chief. This story will be updated as and when they respond.