BJP Mahila Morcha delegation meets NCW chief, seeks action against Congress MP in sexual harassment case

New Delhi: A high-level Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha delegation on Wednesday met National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and submitted a memorandum seeking stringent action against Congress Lok Sabha MP Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment complaints filed by 11 female students against him.

The delegation, led by BJP National Vice President and Mahila Morcha in-charge Dr Daggubati Purandeswari and Mahila Morcha National President Roop Kumari Chaudhary, urged the NCW to take cognisance of the matter and ensure swift and impartial action without any political interference.

The complaints relate to alleged sexual harassment by Akoijam, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor and currently a Congress MP from Manipur.

According to the memorandum, 11 female students had submitted written complaints against him in May, following which an internal committee of the university investigated the matter and found the allegations to be true. Akoijam was subsequently dismissed by the university administration.

Speaking after the meeting, Chaudhary said the delegation, accompanied by five MPs and Mahila Morcha office-bearers, approached the Women's Commission to seek intervention in the matter.

She said the 11 young women had shown immense courage by coming forward with written complaints against the professor and that the findings of the internal committee had substantiated their allegations.

Chaudhary expressed concern that the complainants were still studying at the same institution and could face pressure or retaliation. She stressed that their safety, dignity and academic future must be protected.

She also questioned the Congress leadership's silence over the issue, alleging that despite the university's action against Akoijam, the party had not taken any disciplinary action against him.

The BJP leader said the Congress should have immediately expelled the MP from the party following the findings of the inquiry. She further maintained that a person facing such serious allegations had no right to remain in the country's Parliament.

In its memorandum, the delegation demanded that the matter be brought to the attention of the Lok Sabha Speaker through the appropriate constitutional process and referred to the Ethics Committee for an institutional inquiry. It also sought the immediate suspension of Akoijam from Parliament pending the investigation.

The delegation further called for stringent measures to safeguard the identity, privacy and security of all 11 complainants, ensuring that they face no intimidation, pressure or retaliation and that their research work and academic careers remain protected.

It also urged the NCW to ensure necessary legal action by the competent authorities and asked the Congress leadership to take a clear and accountable position on the matter. The NCW Chairperson assured the delegation that the Commission would take cognisance of the issue and initiate necessary action.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IANS

[email protected]