Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh on Thursday, 15 October urged Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam to approach courts at the earliest if he believes himself to be innocent, and legally challenge the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him. The remarks came amid Akoijam's dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following a formal inquiry into those allegations.

What Singh Said

Addressing a Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme in Imphal West district, Singh stated that courts of law were the appropriate forums to establish truth, and that the MP must prove the charges false through legitimate legal channels. He said the allegations — levelled by individuals from outside Manipur and involving women and girls — had deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of the state.

Singh added that the 'shame' brought upon Manipur could only be addressed if Akoijam established his innocence before a competent court, rather than allowing the matter to remain unresolved in the public domain.

Chief Minister's Earlier Demand

Singh's remarks follow a sharp statement by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who had earlier demanded Akoijam's immediate resignation from the Lok Sabha. In posts on both Facebook and X, the Chief Minister described JNU's decision to dismiss the Congress MP as 'deeply disturbing and shameful.'

'Such grave misconduct by a holder of high legislative office and a professor is unacceptable and tarnishes the image of Manipur. As an MP represents the voice of the people, the sanctity of Parliament must be upheld,' Khemchand Singh said. He argued that Akoijam had, on moral grounds, lost the authority to continue as a public representative.

JNU's Dismissal Order

JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, in an order dated 9 October, confirmed that the university's Internal Committee had conducted an inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations against Akoijam. Acting on the committee's findings and following due process, JNU imposed the punishment of dismissal from service with immediate effect under applicable service rules.

Akoijam, who holds a professorial position at JNU, is also the sitting Member of Parliament from his constituency — a dual identity that has amplified political pressure around the case.

Political and Public Impact

The case has drawn unusual cross-institutional attention, spanning a university disciplinary proceeding, a sitting MP's legislative tenure, and the political identity of Manipur — a state that has already faced heightened scrutiny over social and governance issues. Both BJP leaders in Manipur have been careful to frame their demands around legal recourse and moral accountability, stopping short of declaring guilt, but their calls for resignation and court proceedings have set a clear political tone.

With JNU's dismissal order in effect and senior state leaders publicly weighing in, the pressure on Akoijam to either legally challenge the findings or step back from legislative duties is likely to intensify in the days ahead.