The BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest outside the Indian National Congress headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi, on Monday, 12 October, demanding the immediate expulsion of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor and Manipur Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from the party. Akoijam stands accused in the JNU 'Marks for Sex' scandal, in which a university inquiry committee reportedly found him guilty and subsequently removed him from the institution.

What Happened at the Protest

According to a BJP statement, a group of Mahila Morcha workers broke through police barricades and reached the gate of the Congress headquarters, where they confronted Congress workers present at the scene. The statement alleged that Congress workers pushed the women protesters and hurled abusive remarks at them — claims that could not be independently verified.

The demonstration was organised under the leadership of BJP Mahila Morcha National President and MP Roop Kumari Choudhary and conducted on the ground by Delhi BJP General Secretary Yogita Singh.

What BJP Leaders Said

Roop Kumari Choudhary said: 'We strongly condemn the exploitation of students under the pretext of awarding marks by a Congress MP. The Congress must immediately expel this MP from the party because the daughters of our country are demanding justice.'

Choudhary also directed pointed questions at the Gandhi family: 'We want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi: Why are you silent? Your silence suggests that you are encouraging such acts and shielding those accused in serious cases of sexual exploitation.'

New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj called it 'shocking' that the Congress leadership — known for raising the 'Smash the Patriarchy' slogan — had maintained silence over the allegations against their own sitting MP. 'I want to ask Rahul Gandhi whether your silence amounts to tacit support for the alleged sexual misconduct of your sitting MP, Bimol Akoijam,' she said. Swaraj added: 'Respect for and the safety of women cannot be established merely through speeches from public platforms; they must be demonstrated by ensuring accountability in serious cases such as this.'

BJP National Vice President D. Purandeswari Devi said Congress leaders who routinely invoke women's rights, dignity and empowerment must now clarify their position on the matter, and called on Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to publicly demand an impartial investigation and justice for affected students.

Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat stated that Akoijam had already been removed from JNU following an inquiry that found him guilty, yet he continues to serve as a sitting Congress MP — a situation she described as raising serious questions about the party's stated commitment to women's rights.

Who Attended the Protest

The protest drew a significant turnout of BJP leaders and workers. Among those present were BJP National Vice President D. Purandeswari Devi, Delhi BJP in-charge Darshana Jardosh, Haryana BJP President Archana Gupta, Uttar Pradesh Mahila Morcha President Saroj Kushwaha, Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha President Archana Gupta, Delhi MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Bansuri Swaraj, in-charge Aarti Mehra, along with several MPs, MLAs, municipal councillors, and thousands of Delhi Mahila Morcha workers, according to the BJP.

Background and Broader Context

The 'Marks for Sex' scandal centres on allegations that Akoijam, a faculty member at JNU, exploited his academic position to sexually harass students. A JNU inquiry committee reportedly found him guilty, leading to his removal from the university. Akoijam, however, continues to hold his parliamentary seat as the Congress MP from Inner Manipur. Congress has not issued a public statement on the matter as of 12 October 2026.

Swaraj also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — legislation aimed at increasing women's political participation — and contrasted it with what she described as Congress's efforts to obstruct its implementation. This protest is part of a broader BJP campaign to corner the Congress on women's safety issues ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

What Happens Next

The BJP has not indicated whether it will escalate the protest or seek a formal parliamentary privilege motion. Congress's continued silence on Akoijam's status within the party is expected to remain a focal point of BJP political messaging. Observers will watch whether opposition pressure compels the Congress high command to act on Akoijam's membership.