Manipur BJP women’s wing stages protest, demands MP Bimol Akoijam’s resignation

The Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued its protest demanding the resignation of Congress MP Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations against him.

A large group of BJP workers, led by the party’s women’s wing, took out a rally from the BJP Manipur Pradesh headquarters to Congress Bhavan, passing through Wanheng Leikai and Khwairamband Ima Market.

The protesters gathered outside Congress Bhavan and raised slogans demanding Akoijam’s resignation, while targeting the MP and the Congress party over the allegations.

BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda said the protest was being led primarily by the party’s women’s wing in response to a report concerning sexual harassment allegations against Akoijam by students.

Sharda claimed that an order recommending Akoijam’s dismissal had been issued based on an internal committee report. She described the matter as a source of embarrassment for the MP and the Congress party.

She also questioned the silence of the Congress women’s wing and called on its members to join the demand for women’s safety.

“We came out together, urging women of Congress to fight together for the safety of women. Sexual harassment against female students is a big insult and disrespect to the whole women’s community,” Sharda said.

The BJP’s protest comes amid a political row over the allegations and the reported internal committee findings. The allegations and the status of any disciplinary proceedings should be distinguished from any final determination of liability.