The #MeToo accused music composer says, no one asked him to step down but he did so as his name was being sullied; promises to be back after getting a clean chit
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 23, 2019)

After the relentless outcry against him on social media over #MeToo allegations, music composer Anu Malik has decided to step down as the judge of the music reality show Indian Idol 11. On November 21, Anu announced his departure.

Singer Sona Mohapatra had accused Anu of alleged sexual misconduct in 2018. This year, singers Shweta Pandit and Neha Bhasin have made similar allegations against him. A few days ago, Anu wrote on social media claiming that “false, unverified allegations” were levied against him, and that he is “in pain”. Sona responded on Anu’s post, and she gained immense support on social media, on demanding Anu’s removal from the show.

Talking about this decision, Anu says, “I’ve not quit the show. I’ve taken a three-week break. I want to clear my name and return. If anyone is saying things against me again and again on social media, it gets to you. I wrote a post on Instagram explaining that I’m in pain and in a dark space. This twitter campaign has been going on for a while now, and I am tired of these false, malicious accusations. The best thing is to clear your name and go back to business.”

Anu reveals that Sony TV hasn’t asked him “to quit”. “Sony has been supportive. Last season, I quit (after the accusations) and this year, they got me back. They would not have brought me back if I wasn’t clear. If they had any doubts, they wouldn’t have approached me. This time, I told them that I’ll be back after clearing my name,” he asserts.

Ask him how he plans to come out clear, and Anu says, “That’s up to me. It’s sad that people have forgotten that I’ve made great music for 42 years. They’re trying to demonise me on Twitter now. It affects me, but I’m not here to fight a war with Twitterati. Log kuch bol rahe hain, par bhagwan hai. My name will be cleared. This has affected my creativity. It has been going on for long now, and now I want to end it.”