‘Fair, time-bound probe’: ABVP protests at JNU over allegations against Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on September 18, demanding action over sexual harassment allegations reportedly made by 11 women students against Congress Lok Sabha MP and JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.

The student organisation questioned the delay in the university’s handling of the complaints, which it said were submitted to the JNU Internal Committee around four months ago.

The ABVP demanded a fair, independent and time-bound inquiry, while alleging that the university administration and the Internal Committee must ensure transparency and remain free from political influence. The organisation also questioned what it described as the silence of the Congress, NSUI and Left student organisations over the allegations.

The allegations against Akoijam have not been established, and the matter remains under the university’s internal process. Recent reports said the complaints were submitted in May and that no findings had been announced.

Akoijam has rejected the allegations and accused what he described as “racist schemers” of attempting to damage his reputation through what he called unverified allegations and lies.

“I have nothing to hide,” Akoijam said, adding that his legal team had initiated steps to challenge what he described as a malicious smear campaign in accordance with the law.

The controversy comes as the ABVP has stepped up its demands for clarity on the status of the complaints and the functioning of JNU’s Internal Committee. The student body has said the inquiry should proceed without political considerations and that the allegations should be examined through due process.

The university inquiry and any findings arising from it will determine the facts of the allegations.