The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday staged protests at the Congress headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg in New Delhi and across Gujarat, demanding the expulsion of Congress MP and former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from the party over allegations of sexual harassment involving female students.
The protests came days after JNU dismissed Akoijam from his position as a professor following an inquiry by its internal committee and Delhi Police registered an FIR against him on October 11.
At the Congress headquarters in Delhi, a group of BJP Mahila Morcha workers allegedly broke through barricades and reached the entrance, where they confronted Congress workers while demanding the MP's expulsion, according to a BJP statement. The statement also alleged that Congress workers pushed the women and hurled abusive remarks at them.
The protest was organised under the leadership of BJP Mahila Morcha national president and MP Roop Kumari Choudhary and conducted by Delhi BJP general secretary Yogita Singh.
Choudhary condemned the alleged exploitation of students under the pretext of awarding marks and demanded immediate action against Akoijam.
" We strongly condemn the exploitation of students under the pretext of awarding marks by a Congress MP. The Congress must immediately expel this MP from the party because the daughters of our country are demanding justice," she said.
Questioning Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi over their silence on the allegations, Choudhary alleged that the party was failing to take a clear stand on the matter.
The protest was attended by BJP national vice president D. Purandeswari Devi, Delhi BJP in-charge Darshana Jardosh, Haryana BJP president Archana Gupta, Uttar Pradesh Mahila Morcha president Saroj Kushwaha, Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Archana Gupta, and Delhi MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Bansuri Swaraj, among other party leaders and workers.
Purandeswari said Congress leaders who speak about women's rights, dignity and empowerment should clarify their position on the allegations. She urged Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other senior leaders to support the affected students and call for an impartial investigation.
New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj also criticised the Congress leadership, questioning its commitment to women's safety and accountability.
"It is shocking that Rahul Gandhi and the top Congress leadership, who raise the slogan 'Smash the Patriarchy', have maintained silence over serious allegations of harassment against their own MP," Swaraj said.
She questioned whether the Congress's stance on women's rights extended to allegations involving members of its own party and demanded action against Akoijam.
Swaraj also referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken steps to increase women's political participation, while alleging that the Congress had obstructed its implementation.
BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said the university's inquiry committee had found Akoijam guilty and that he had subsequently been removed from his position. She questioned why he continued to serve as a sitting Congress MP despite the university's decision.
BJP stages protests across Gujarat
Separately, the BJP Mahila Morcha organised protests across all districts and major cities in Gujarat on Monday, demanding strict action against Akoijam and his immediate expulsion from the Congress.
Women party workers, office-bearers, women legislators and local leaders participated in sit-ins and demonstrations, raising slogans against the Congress and its senior leadership.
The protesters accused the party of maintaining double standards on women's safety and dignity, arguing that its public statements on women's rights were inconsistent with its response to the allegations against its MP.
"Women's safety should not be confined to political speeches and election campaigns," BJP leaders said.
Akoijam represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha and was a professor at JNU's Centre for the Study of Social Systems.
What are the allegations against Akoijam?
According to media reports, 11 female students filed complaints against Akoijam in May 2024, alleging sexual harassment. The complaints reportedly alleged that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in the classroom.
JNU's internal committee examined the complaints and reportedly referred to a pattern of inappropriate personal interactions, sexually suggestive conduct and unwelcome physical contact. The university dismissed Akoijam with immediate effect on October 9 following the inquiry.
Delhi Police subsequently registered an FIR at Vasant Kunj North police station on October 11, based on a complaint by JNU's chief security officer. The FIR invokes Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with sexual harassment and acts intended to insult a woman's modesty.
The police investigation is underway. Akoijam has denied the allegations and described his dismissal as a "witch hunt". He has questioned the university's handling of the inquiry and said he intends to challenge the decision through legal channels.
