#MeToo: HT's political editor Prashant Jha steps down
October 08, 2018  17:43
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Following allegations of sexual harassment, Prashant Jha has stepped down as the political editor and bureau chief of the Hindustan Times.


The Wire reports that 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 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.'


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, Jha 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."
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