Bengaluru: BJP women workers staged a protest in Bengaluru on Monday, demanding the resignation of Manipur Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over allegations of sexual harassment. The protesters gathered near Cantonment Railway Station, carrying placards and raising slogans against the Congress and the MP.
The demonstrators accused the Congress leadership of remaining silent on the allegations and questioned the party’s stated commitment to women’s safety. They demanded that Akoijam step down from his parliamentary position while the allegations are addressed.
The protesters also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, referring to his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme and his call for young people to challenge patriarchal structures. They questioned why the party leadership had not issued a stronger response to the allegations against the MP.
Protesters stopped from marching towards KPCC office
Tension mounted when the demonstrators attempted to march towards the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office on Queens Road. Police personnel intervened and detained members of the BJP Mahila Morcha as they tried to proceed towards the Congress headquarters.
Security was strengthened around the KPCC office, with additional barricades installed and more police personnel deployed. Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) units were also stationed along Queens Road to prevent any untoward incident.
The protest centred on the allegations against Akoijam and the response of the Congress leadership. The demonstrators sought accountability from the party and called for the MP’s resignation.
JNU dismissal and police case
The protest follows sexual harassment allegations reportedly made by 11 women students against Akoijam in May. The complaints included allegations of inappropriate remarks during viva examinations, misconduct at his campus residence and demands for sexual favours in exchange for better marks.
JNU dismissed Akoijam from university service with effect from October 9 following an inquiry by its Internal Committee. The university’s decision came after the committee recommended major disciplinary action.
A sexual harassment case was also registered at Vasant Kunj North police station in Delhi on October 11, based on a complaint by the university’s chief security officer. The FIR invokes Sections 75 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), among other provisions, and the police investigation is ongoing.
Akoijam has denied the allegations and described his dismissal as a political witch-hunt. He has challenged the inquiry process, alleging that he was not given a proper opportunity to respond to the findings and questioning the university’s account of the proceedings. He has said he will pursue legal remedies.
demanding accountability from the Congress leadership and the MP.