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IMPHAL, Oct 14: In the face of the growing demand from BJP for the resignation of MP Dr Bimol Akoijam following his dismissal from JNU in connection with an alleged sexual harassment case, a large number people took out a rally at Imphal today expressing solidarity with the Lok Sabha Member, and the atmosphere around the BJP head office reverberated with the slogan “Down, down BJP”.
Before the rally, a large number of people gathered at Keishamthong Keithel and staged a sit-in-protest in support of the MP and denouncing the allegation of sexual assault charges levelled against him.
The protesters were seen holding banners and placards which read “People of Manipur are with Oja and truth”, “We Support Oja Bimol, We Stand with You”, “Don’t Weaponise institution for political Vendetta,” “MP Bimol is the voice of the people of Manipur”, “Truth cannot be silenced”, “We stand with MP Oja Bimol” and “Targeted political campaign against Oja Bimol– Manipur Stands with our MP”.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Tina Kumari, who joined the demonstration, said the gathering was not affiliated with any political party but was organised to support Dr Bimol 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 Dr Bimol’s public image.
She said she has been following Dr Bimol’s interventions on issues concerning Manipur, particularly since the outbreak of violence in the State.
According to her, Bimol Akoijam has 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.
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.
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.
Later at around noon, the crowd out a protest rally from Keishamthong toward BJP Manipur head office shouting slogans like “Down, Down BJP”, “We Support AK Bimol”, “Long Live AK Bimol” and “Shameless BJP”
Police tried to stop the protest rally at Keishampat junction which resulted in a heated argument between Dr Bimol’s supporters and the police personnel.
The MP’s supporters question why they were stopped from taking out the protest rally when the same district police allowed BJP workers’ protest and even guided the rally some days back.
Later Dr Bimol’s supporters somehow breached past the police barricade and proceeded toward the BJP head office.
At the same time, another group of supporters marched toward the BJP office from Old Lambulane and staged a protest demonstration in front of the BJP office.
The two groups of supporters converged in front of the BJP office and shouted slogans “Down, Down BJP”, “We Support Dr AK Bimol”, “Long Live Dr Bimol” and “Shameless BJP” for more than 15 minutes.
Dr Bimol’s supporters were pushed back to Keishamthong after the arrival of additional police teams.
As the MP’s supporters gathered again at Keishamthong Keithel, Dr Bimol came out from his residence and talked with his supporters.
Dr AK Bimol said he would appear before Delhi Police but would not be intimidated by the proceedings or apologise because of what he described as harassment.
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.