IMPHAL/UKHRUL: Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr Bimol Akoijam on Wednesday said he had been summoned by Delhi Police to appear at a police station on Thursday for questioning in connection with an FIR filed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) authorities, asserting that he would not apologise or bow to what he described as harassment.
A large number of supporters marched from Bimol Akoijam’s residence at Keishamthong to the BJP head office at Keishampat, Imphal, expressing solidarity with the MP amid the sexual harassment allegations against him.
The protesters raised slogans such as “Down Down BJP”, “We Support Oja Bimol” and “Justice for Oja Bimol”, questioning the developments surrounding the allegations and the action taken by JNU authorities.
Upon reaching the BJP head office at Keishampat, the protesters staged a demonstration in front of the office, raising slogans in support of Bimol Akoijam and expressing their opposition to the developments surrounding the case. A large team of police personnel was deployed at the site to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the protest.
Addressing his supporters, Bimol Akoijam said he would appear before Delhi Police as summoned but would not be intimidated by the proceedings or apologise because of what he described as harassment.
Drawing a parallel with previous questioning of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Bimol Akoijam said they too had faced prolonged questioning by investigating agencies, reportedly for more than nine hours.
He alleged that the action against him was being carried out at the instructions of higher authorities and described it as an attempt to harass him.
Bimol Akoijam further recalled what he described as the repeated harassment faced by Manipuris in police and Army custody, saying such experiences were not new for the people of Manipur.
The protest saw participation from people who said they had gathered beyond political affiliations to express support for the MP amid the controversy.
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Speaking to reporters during the rally, Dr Tina Kumari, a dentist who joined the demonstration, said the gathering was not affiliated with any political party and had been organised to support Akoijam as an individual.
“We are not inclined towards any political party. We are neither from Congress nor BJP, and we are not affiliated with either. We have come here in support of him as a person,” she said.
Tina Kumari alleged that the accusations were politically motivated and intended to tarnish Akoijam’s public image. She said she had followed his interventions on issues concerning Manipur, particularly since the outbreak of violence in the state.
According to her, Bimol Akoijam had consistently raised the concerns of the people of Manipur on national platforms, including Parliament and television debates.
Questioning the timing of the allegations, she referred to Bimol Akoijam’s long career as a teacher before entering electoral politics and alleged that the controversy was intended to undermine his credibility.
However, Tina Kumari maintained that the allegations should be decided through due legal process rather than public speculation.
“If he is guilty, let the court deliver its verdict and let him face the punishment prescribed by law. But if he is not guilty, then you have messed with the wrong person,” she said.
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She also criticised the JNU Vice-Chancellor for commenting on the matter during media interviews, arguing that the head of an educational institution should exercise restraint while the allegations were being dealt with.
The protest comes amid continuing controversy surrounding the allegations against Bimol Akoijam and developments at JNU. While Bimol Akoijam and his supporters have questioned the motives behind the proceedings, the allegations remain subject to due process.