Ahmedabad, Oct 12 (IANS) The BJP’s women’s wing staged protests across Gujarat on Monday, demanding action against Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over allegations of sexual harassment involving female students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), days after the university dismissed him from his position as a professor and Delhi Police registered an FIR against him.
The protests, organised by the state BJP Mahila Morcha, were held across all districts and major cities of the state.
Women party workers, office-bearers, women legislators and local leaders participated in sit-ins and demonstrations, accusing the Congress leadership of remaining silent on the allegations.
The protesters raised slogans against the Congress and its senior leadership, demanded strict action against Akoijam and called for his immediate expulsion from the party, according to party leaders.
The party accused the Congress of maintaining double standards on women’s safety and dignity, arguing that its public claims on women’s rights were inconsistent with its response to allegations against one of its own MPs.
“Women’s safety should not be confined to political speeches and election campaigns,” the leaders said.
The protests came amid a widening controversy over the allegations against Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha and was a professor at JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems.
JNU dismissed Akoijam with immediate effect on October 9 following an inquiry by its internal committee into complaints of sexual harassment. Reports said 11 women students had complained against him.
The committee’s findings reportedly referred to a pattern of inappropriate personal interactions, sexually suggestive conduct and unwelcome physical contact.
Delhi Police registered an FIR against Akoijam on October 11 at Vasant Kunj North police station, following a complaint by JNU’s chief security officer.
The complaint forwarded documents related to the university’s internal inquiry and sought police action. The FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to sexual harassment and acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty.
The investigation is under way. Akoijam has denied the allegations and described his dismissal as a “witch hunt”.
He has questioned the university’s handling of the inquiry and said he intended to challenge the decision through legal channels.
–IANS
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