NEW DELHI: Following the sustained efforts and protests by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), JNU, demanding the safety, dignity, and justice of female students at Jawaharlal Nehru University, the JNU administration has dismissed Congress Lok Sabha MP and JNU Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from university service with immediate effect. The action has been taken in accordance with the findings of the university’s Internal Committee, its report, and the applicable service rules. In this case, 11 female students had filed complaints of sexual harassment against the Congress MP. After considering the Internal Committee’s report and the available facts, the university dismissed him from service.
Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam was employed at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is also a Congress MP representing the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. Following consideration of the Internal Committee’s report, the Congress MP was dismissed from university service with immediate effect.
Throughout this case, ABVP JNU consistently demanded that the complaints filed by female students be taken seriously, that unnecessary delays in the investigation be avoided, and that the university administration fulfil its institutional responsibilities. In September, ABVP organised protests on this issue, raising questions about the functioning of the Internal Committee and the university administration and demanding a time-bound investigation and appropriate action.
An atmosphere of insecurity and fear prevails in educational institutions due to the anti-women conduct of Congress leaders. The presence of Congress workers itself creates an atmosphere of fear among female students. Several Congress leaders and workers have previously been found guilty in sexual harassment cases, including Firoz Khan, Mewaram Jain, and Srinivas B.V. Issues concerning the safety and dignity of female students in any university cannot be taken lightly, nor should complaints be disposed of with such delays that they undermine the complainants’ faith in institutional mechanisms.
ABVP had also demanded that the investigation be conducted impartially and that no individual’s position, political identity, or influence be allowed to obstruct appropriate action. ABVP believes that political parties which publicly express their commitment to women’s dignity and safety have a responsibility to adopt a clear and accountable position on serious allegations involving their elected representatives. Women’s safety cannot be reduced to a matter of political convenience, party equations, or public image.
For ABVP, the safety, dignity, and justice of female students are not matters of political gain but serious issues concerning students’ rights and the responsibilities of the university. In matters of women’s safety, justice, sensitivity, and accountability must take precedence over political affiliations or double standards.
ABVP JNU President Mayank Panchal said, “The JNU administration’s action against the Congress Lok Sabha MP and JNU professor is an important step towards addressing ABVP’s sustained struggle for female students and ensuring accountability regarding their complaints and women’s safety. ABVP demands that the female students receive real justice and that further legal proceedings be carried out in accordance with the law.”
ABVP JNU Secretary Praveen Kumar Piyush said, “ABVP JNU has consistently fought for the safety and justice of female students. Our position is clear: no one’s political position or influence should stand in the way of impartial action. The university administration must continue to ensure accountability so that female students receive justice, safety, and dignity. The dismissal of the Congress Lok Sabha MP from university service is not enough; strict legal action must be taken against him, and he must be sent to jail.”
