Anu Malik Steps Down As Judge From Singing Reality Show "Indian Idol"

In yet another development to #MeToo Movement, singer Anu Malik stepped down as a judge from popular singing reality show Indian Idol. Recently, singer Sona Mohapatra had called out Anu Malik on her social media account and had criticized Sony TV for hiring an alleged sexual offender on a family show. She was backed by actress Tanushree Dutta who had also slammed Neha Kakkar for being a co-judge in the show.

The controversy started when singer Sona Mohapatra called out the composer and Sony, for hiring him back as a judge. Other singers such as Shweta Pandit and Neha Bhasin have backed Mohapatra's claims, stating that Malik made them uncomfortable as well. Mohapatra has been urging fellow judge and composer Vishal Dadlani to support their cause and speak up against Malik.

Sona Mohapatra recently wrote an open letter to the Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, where she pointed out that shielding sexual predators sent out "a very dangerous message to the country & the perverts that lurk within our society." Since then the singer has been campaigning against Anu Malik and got a strong support on social media platforms. Many were in her favour and demanded Anu Malik to step down as a judge.

Anu Malik in a recent statement to a reputed newspaper claimed that people should not jump to any conclusion and should also hear the other side of the story, Anu Malik said, "I have taken this decision voluntarily. I want to take a three-week break from the show and get back to it only after I have cleared my name. While the channel has been supportive, it’s solely my decision to take this break. All I want to say is that before jumping to a conclusion, it’s important to hear the other side as well."