IMPHAL/UKHRUL: The Women’s Wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has questioned Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) handling of the sexual harassment allegations against Inner Manipur MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, while criticising the BJP-led campaign demanding his resignation from Parliament.
Addressing a press conference at the COCOMI office in Imphal on Friday, Women’s Wing convenor Luwangleima raised concerns over the reported termination of Akoijam from his position as a professor at JNU and the political mobilisation that followed, particularly the rally led by BJP Manipur president and Rajya Sabha MP A. Sarda Devi.
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Luwangleima questioned the procedures adopted by the university in dealing with the allegations, stressing that the circumstances surrounding its decision required careful scrutiny. She maintained that the matter should be examined through established procedures, with fairness and transparency, rather than being driven by political considerations.
The COCOMI Women’s Wing also criticised the move to demand Akoijam’s resignation as a Member of Parliament while the controversy remains subject to legal and investigative processes. It expressed concern that political rallies and public campaigns could influence public perception before all aspects of the allegations had been properly examined.
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Taking particular issue with the rally led by Sarda Devi, the organisation questioned the propriety of turning the controversy into a political campaign against the Congress MP. It called for greater attention to the handling of the case and the procedures followed by JNU instead of allowing political demands to dominate the debate.
The controversy has triggered a political confrontation in Manipur, with BJP leaders demanding Akoijam’s resignation following his reported removal from JNU, while his supporters have accused the BJP of politicising the allegations.
The COCOMI Women’s Wing reiterated that the allegations against Akoijam must be addressed through appropriate procedures, maintaining that the university’s actions and the political response to the controversy warrant scrutiny.
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