The BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on October 12, demanding the expulsion of Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from the Congress party. The protest followed his dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations. Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi joined the demonstration, organised under the banner of the ‘Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan’. The protesters questioned the Congress leadership’s response to the allegations. Akoijam has denied the charges.
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Key Facts
- Date: October 12
- Location: Congress headquarters, New Delhi
- Protest organiser: BJP Mahila Morcha
- Campaign: Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan
- Political leader named: Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam
- Issue: Sexual harassment allegations and his dismissal from JNU
- Union minister present: Annpurna Devi
- Congress leaders questioned: Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Latest legal development: Police registered an FIR against Akoijam
BJP Mahila Morcha Holds Protest in Delhi
The BJP Mahila Morcha held the demonstration outside the Congress headquarters on October 12. The protesters demanded that the Congress take disciplinary action against Akoijam following his dismissal from JNU.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi joined the protest. She questioned the Congress leadership over its response to the allegations and asked why the party had not expelled the MP.
The demonstration took place under the banner of the ‘Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan’. BJP workers raised questions about the Congress party’s position on women’s safety and justice.
Annpurna Devi Questions Priyanka Gandhi
During the protest, Annpurna Devi referred to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s slogan, ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’. She questioned whether the slogan had become an empty promise in light of the allegations against a Congress MP.
Devi alleged that 11 female students had complained against Akoijam. She questioned why the Congress had not taken disciplinary action after JNU dismissed him following its inquiry.
The Union minister also directly questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. She asked when the party would break its silence and take action against Akoijam.
BJP Raises Questions Over Women’s Rights
The minister said the women who filed complaints were seeking justice. She also challenged Priyanka Gandhi to explain what steps the Congress would take in response to the allegations.
Furthermore, Devi accused the Congress of following a double standard on women’s issues. She said the party should respond clearly to the allegations and address the concerns raised by the complainants.
The BJP Mahila Morcha also used the protest to highlight what it described as the Congress leadership’s lack of action against its MP.
Congress Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner
During the demonstration, Devi also responded to questions about the Congress’s protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.
She alleged that the Congress was using the issue to divert public attention from the allegations against Akoijam. According to the minister, the party should instead focus on the complaints and the demand for justice.
The allegations and political responses have added another point of confrontation between the BJP and Congress.
Akoijam Dismissed from JNU
Akoijam previously worked as a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU’s School of Social Sciences.
JNU dismissed him with immediate effect on October 9 after an internal inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment. The allegations relate to complaints filed by female students.
Akoijam has denied the allegations and rejected the charges made against him.
According to reports, at least 11 female students filed complaints in May. The complaints alleged that Akoijam invited students to his campus residence for meetings or gatherings and then allegedly behaved inappropriately.
Some complainants also accused him of making obscene and inappropriate remarks during classes. The allegations remain subject to legal and institutional proceedings.
FIR Registered Against Akoijam
Police registered an FIR against Akoijam on Sunday following a complaint from the JNU Chief Security Officer.
The FIR reportedly includes charges related to sexual harassment and insulting the modesty of a woman. The registration of the case marks a further legal development following the university’s disciplinary action.
The allegations remain allegations unless established through due legal process. Akoijam has denied the charges.
Political Controversy Intensifies
The BJP’s protest has brought the allegations into a wider political debate. The Mahila Morcha has demanded action from the Congress, while BJP leaders continue to question the party’s position on the matter.
Meanwhile, the legal process will determine the facts surrounding the allegations. Both the university’s action and the police case have placed Akoijam at the centre of a growing political and legal controversy.
Location Context
The protest took place in New Delhi, the national centre of India’s political activity. However, the controversy also carries significance for Manipur, as Akoijam represents the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.
Questions and Answers
What happened on October 12?
The BJP Mahila Morcha held a protest outside the Congress headquarters in New Delhi over allegations against Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
Why did the BJP demand Akoijam’s expulsion?
The protesters demanded his expulsion after JNU dismissed him following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations.
When did JNU dismiss Akoijam?
JNU dismissed Akoijam with immediate effect on October 9.
How many students reportedly filed complaints?
Reports said at least 11 female students filed complaints against him in May.
Has Akoijam accepted the allegations?
No. Akoijam has denied the allegations against him.
What is the latest legal development?
Police registered an FIR against Akoijam following a complaint by the JNU Chief Security Officer.
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