BJP demands expulsion of Cong MP Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations
BJP Mahila Morcha demands Congress leadership to take action against Manipur MP and sacked JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, accused of sexually harassing 11 students
New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI) The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday protested outside the Congress headquarters here demanding the expulsion of the opposition party's Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was sacked as professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over sexual harassment charges.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi, who was also part of the protest, 'Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan', accused Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of giving "hollow slogans" in support of girls.
"Today, on behalf of our women and the daughters of this country, we want to ask Priyanka Gandhi ji: What happened to your slogan, 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon (I am a girl, and I can fight)'? Has it become an empty slogan? Where has it gone?" the minister asked.
The BJP women's wing protested against the Congress "brazen protection" of Akoijam.
"A Member of Parliament from your party has sexually harassed 11 girls. Even JNU has taken action against this accused MP and dismissed him. Despite all this, why are you still silent? When will you break your silence, Rahul Gandhi? When will you expel that MP? What action have you taken against him?" Devi asked.
The minister alleged that the inaction on the part of the Congress showed that "there is no place for women in your party".
Targeting Priyanka Gandhi, Devi said, "Today, those 11 girls are also fighting. They are asking you how you will ensure justice for them, but you remain silent."
"How long will this double standard and hypocrisy continue? You must answer these questions," she said.
Asked about the Congress' protest against the chief election commissioner, Devi accused the party of attempting to divert attention from the allegations against its own MP through protests.
"The party should first ensure justice for the victims," she said.
Akoijam, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU's School of Social Sciences, was dismissed with immediate effect on October 9 following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him, charges he has denied.
According to reports, at least 11 female students had filed sexual harassment complaints against him in May this year. The complaints alleged that he invited students to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students had also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.
An FIR was registered against Akoijam on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and insulting a woman's modesty based on a complaint lodged by JNU's chief security officer. PTI