Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed as professor by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following sexual harassment allegations, on Friday said he would challenge the decision in court within a day or two and asserted that he would continue his work if the charges were not proven.
"If they have thrown me out, it is well and good if they have proved it right. If it is not proven, I will continue to do my work," the Inner Manipur MP told reporters after returning to Imphal from after appearing before the Delhi Police on Thursday.
Akoijam said his lawyers were preparing to file a case against the university's action, while appealing to the people of Manipur to maintain peace and calm.
"My lawyers are preparing because we have to be very cautious. Institutions are so fragile now," he said, adding that he would cooperate with the ongoing investigation while pursuing legal remedies.
A large number of supporters gathered at Imphal International Airport to welcome him after he appeared before investigators in Delhi on Thursday night in connection with the case.
Akoijam also urged the media to focus on the humanitarian crisis in Manipur, particularly the plight of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in relief camps. He highlighted continued lawlessness, concerns surrounding buffer zones and the disruption of students' education, saying these issues required sustained public attention.
"I don't think my pain is anything greater than the pain of these people," he said, referring to the suffering of displaced families. He also alleged that the action against him was an "attempt to silence his voice".
Akoijam, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU's School of Social Sciences, was dismissed on October 9 following an enquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him by at least 11 students. The complainants alleged that he invited students to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to harass them.
The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against him, based on a complaint by JNU's chief security officer. The MP has been booked under BNS Sections dealing with sexual harassment and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, among other offences.
However, Akoijam has denied the allegations, describing the inquiry conducted by JNU's Internal Complaints Committee as a "khap panchayat" and alleging that his dismissal was unfair. He has also claimed that all the complaints against him were politically motivated.
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