NEW DELHI: BJP Mahila Morcha workers staged protests across the country on Monday, burning effigies of leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over allegations of sexual harassment involving female students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).The protesters demanded action against Akoijam, who represents Inner Manipur in the Lok Sabha, and accused the Congress leadership of remaining silent over the allegations.BJP workers also marched towards the Congress office in Delhi, calling for the MP’s removal and arrest.The protests followed reports that JNU had dismissed Akoijam from his position as a professor after an internal committee found allegations made by 11 female students to be true, according to the BJP. The allegations have not been independently verified in the material provided.Sharing a video on X, the BJP criticised the Congress leadership over its response to the allegations. BJP leader and MP Bansuri Swaraj questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence and challenged the party to take action against Akoijam.She said, “On October 9, 2026, a report from JNU’s internal committee emerges, in which the allegations of sexual exploitation made by 11 female students against Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam are found to be true, and he is immediately dismissed from his job.“I want to ask Rahul Gandhi ji and the Congress… why have you remained silent until now? “Why haven’t you taken action yet?“Rahul Gandhi ji, is ‘Smash The Patriarchy’ just an electoral slogan for you? “If not, then take action against Bimol Akoijam.”Swaraj also contrasted the BJP’s position on women’s political representation with her criticism of the Congress.“On one side is PM Shri Narendra Modi, who is increasing women’s political representation through ‘Women’s Reservation.’ On the other side is Rahul Gandhi, who obstructs even its implementation, gives a place in the Lok Sabha to a Sexual Predator, and provides protection to him through his silence,” she added.In another post, BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat called on Rahul Gandhi to respond to the allegations.“Rahul Gandhi should answer to those daughters who had come to India’s renowned university (JNU) with trust. And today, a Congress MP himself is sexually exploiting them. These daughters, who are unsafe today, hold Rahul Gandhi and his party responsible.”The BJP also questioned whether the Congress was living up to its stated commitment to women’s safety.“Is Rahul Gandhi forgetting ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ now, or are the ‘echoes of complaints’ from 11 female students not reaching him?” the party said in a post.In another statement, the BJP alleged that Akoijam had been suspended from his position as a professor at JNU over sexual harassment allegations and accused the Congress of taking no action against him.“Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Congress has taken NO ACTION against him. Rahul Gandhi’s silence is deafening,” the party said.Earlier, addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Swaraj described the allegations as “bone-chilling” and accused the Congress of hypocrisy over women’s safety and empowerment.“From media sources and media reports, the kind of allegations that have emerged are bone-chilling; they shake one’s very soul. I would like to place before you the details of the kind of allegations that have surfaced. The Congress MP, who was a professor at JNU, asked sexually inappropriate questions to female students during assessments. It is alleged that he indulged in unwelcome physical contact with female students in JNU,” Swaraj said.
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She further alleged that assessments were conducted at unusual hours at the MP’s residence.“Not only this, but media reports also reveal the allegation that this Congress MP used to call these female students to his home late at night to conduct academic assessments. He conducted one viva examination until 11:40 at night! And not just that-allegations of sexually explicit classroom conduct have also come to light. All of these are grave allegations,” she stated.Earlier, Delhi Police registered an FIR following a complaint lodged by JNU’s chief security officer, officials said.The FIR was registered on October 11 at Vasant Kunj North police station under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the details of the FIR, Akoijam’s name has been mentioned. Police said further investigation into the matter was underway.
