New Delhi: Mahila Morcha workers on Monday staged a protest outside the Congress headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg in New Delhi, over sexual harassment allegations against Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
The protesters raised slogans demanding justice for about a dozen female students who have levelled allegations against Akoijam. One of the slogans was, “JNU ki 11 betiyan nyay ki hakdaar betiyan” (JNU’s 11 daughters deserve justice).
Another slogan called on the Congress leadership to respond and take action against its MP. The protesters also staged demonstrations in Bengaluru, demanding action in the matter.
Earlier on Monday, Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) following a complaint lodged by JNU’s Chief Security Officer, days after the allegations surfaced.
According to officials, the FIR was registered at the Vasant Kunj North police station on Sunday, October 11, under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Akoijam has been named in the FIR, and police are investigating the matter.
According to media reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May. The complaints alleged that he had invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in the classroom.
The allegations were reportedly examined during an inquiry that preceded the university’s decision to dismiss him from his position.
On Sunday, the BJP also questioned the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over its alleged silence on the matter. The party asked whether Gandhi’s earlier “Smash the Patriarchy” remark was merely political rhetoric.
Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, “Today, while we are worshipping Maa Shailputri, I am bringing a very serious issue concerning the daughters of this country before you. JNU has dismissed Congress MP Bimol Akoijam from his job over allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2024, not one or two, but 11 students filed sexual harassment complaints against him. JNU constituted an Internal Committee under the POSH Act, which, after a detailed probe, immediately dismissed Akoijam.”
Swaraj criticised the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, for not publicly commenting on the allegations.
“Is ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ only political rhetoric for you? It seems that this incident reflects the hypocrisy of the Congress. For them, feminism starts with a hashtag and ends when it comes to accountability,” she said.
Questioning the party’s position, Swaraj added, “Is women’s respect just restricted to being a slogan and not a policy of the Congress party?”
(IANS)
