New Delhi: Days after a woman journalist accused her of tactics of slander, character assassination and intimidation, Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury resigned. Shesaid that questions had been raised about her integrity and she did not want Tehelka’s image to be tarnished and she was not sure if her presence was helping or hurting the weekly magazine.
Shoma said in her one-page letter, there were only two days to act on the complaint before the story broke in the press. Post this, things have been misconstrued and have snowballed exponentially in the media, based on half-facts and selective leaks
Over the past week, I have been accused of an attempt to “cover-up” and for not standing by my feminist positions. While I accept that I could have done many things differently and in a more measured way, I reject the allegations of a cover-up because in no way could the first actions that were taken be deemed suppression of any kind. As for my feminist positions, I believe I acted in consonance with them by giving my colleague’s account precedence over everything else,” she wrote.
Shoma said, I have worked hard for Tehelka for many years and what we have stood for is very dear to me and I hold it in high esteem. I do not want questions raised about my integrity to tarnish the image of Tehelka, which it has done in the past week. Therefore, I resign as managing editor with immediate effect.
Chaudhury said, “I cannot express how painful this is for me. It has never been a part of me to give up midway through a challenge. I would have liked to continue at Tehelka to see us through this dark time, but I am no longer sure whether my presence is harming or helping Tehelka. I deeply regret any inadequacies or lack of clarity I may have displayed in my leadership.”
Bureau Report
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