‘Bimol Akoijam should be ashamed’: Manipur BJP women’s wing demands his resignation

The BJP’s women’s wing in Manipur staged a protest on October 9, demanding the resignation of Congress Lok Sabha MP Bimol Akoijam following reports of his dismissal as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over sexual harassment allegations involving 11 students.

Led by BJP Manipur president and Rajya Sabha MP A Sarda Devi, the protesters raised slogans against Akoijam and called on the Congress leadership to take disciplinary action against him.

Speaking to reporters during the demonstration, Sarda Devi said Akoijam should resign on moral grounds and questioned the Congress’s response to the allegations.

“Bimol Akoijam should be ashamed of himself and resign voluntarily. The Congress party must take action against him,” she said.

Reacting to the reported action by JNU’s Internal Committee, Sarda Devi said the developments warranted serious consideration and called for appropriate action in accordance with the law.

She also appealed to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to intervene, questioning the party’s position on the matter. Sarda Devi urged women leaders within the Congress to speak up and demand accountability.

Emphasising the need to ensure a safe environment in educational institutions, she said families sent their children to universities to pursue higher education and build their futures. Allegations of sexual harassment, she added, raised serious concerns for students and their families.

Sarda Devi also referred to a reported defamation case filed by Akoijam against Republic TV and questioned his position in light of the latest developments.

Expressing solidarity with the women who had raised the allegations, she said the BJP’s women’s wing would continue its agitation until Akoijam resigned and appropriate action was taken.

“As a woman, I feel deeply saddened by the allegations involving 11 students. We stand with the women and demand justice for them,” she said.

The protest comes amid developments at JNU over the allegations against Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha.