BJP protests in Delhi, Srinagar demanding Congress expel Manipur MP over sexual harassment allegations
The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday held protests outside Congress offices in New Delhi and Srinagar, demanding the expulsion of Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations that he has denied.
In New Delhi, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi joined the protest, dubbed the ‘Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan’, and accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of remaining silent on the allegations against their party's MP.
Devi questioned Priyanka Gandhi's slogan, “Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon” (I am a girl, and I can fight), asking what action the Congress had taken to ensure justice for the women who had complained against Akoijam.
“A Member of Parliament from your party has sexually harassed 11 girls. Even JNU has taken action against this accused MP and dismissed him. Despite all this, why are you still silent?” she asked, demanding his expulsion.
The minister alleged that the Congress was protecting Akoijam and said the party should prioritise justice for the complainants. She also accused the Congress of using its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to divert attention from the allegations against its MP.
In Srinagar, BJP Mahila Morcha workers assembled at Pratap Park along Maulana Azad Road and attempted to march towards the Congress headquarters. Police personnel stopped them, following which the protesters raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi and burnt his effigy.
Congress workers subsequently came out of their office and raised slogans against the BJP-led Centre and Gyanesh Kumar. Police intervened before the two groups could clash and persuaded them to disperse peacefully.
Akoijam, who taught at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU's School of Social Sciences, was dismissed with immediate effect on October 9 following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations.
According to reports, at least 11 female students lodged complaints against him in May. They alleged that he invited students to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some also accused him of making obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.
Akoijam has denied the allegations. An FIR was registered against him on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and insulting a woman's modesty, based on a complaint lodged by JNU's chief security officer.
