Arunachal BJP Mahila Morcha stages protest over JNU sexual harassment allegations against Congress MP

The BJP Mahila Morcha in Arunachal Pradesh, along with Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) Mayor Likha Nari Tadar and other women leaders, staged a protest at the BJP state headquarters, targeting the Congress leadership over the dismissal of Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam following an inquiry into sexual harassment complaints.

The protesters raised slogans against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and questioned the party’s response to the allegations against its MP. They accused the Congress leadership of maintaining silence on the matter and called for accountability on issues concerning women's safety.

Tadar, who also joined the protest, questioned Rahul Gandhi’s public statements on women's rights and his calls to challenge patriarchy, arguing that the Congress leadership should address the allegations involving a member of its own party.

JNU dismissed Akoijam, a professor at the university and the Lok Sabha MP representing Inner Manipur, following an inquiry into complaints reportedly filed by 11 female students. The allegations included claims of inappropriate and sexually coloured remarks, as well as alleged offers of higher marks in exchange for sexual favours.

Akoijam has described his dismissal as a “witch hunt” and questioned whether due process was followed. The allegations against him remain contested.

The BJP protest in Itanagar comes amid demonstrations by BJP and affiliated groups, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), in New Delhi, where protesters have also demanded accountability from the Congress leadership.

The protest in Arunachal Pradesh centred on the BJP’s demand for a response from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party over the allegations and the university’s action against Akoijam.