BJP Mahila Morcha protests in Bengaluru, demands Congress MP Akoijam resign over JNU harassment findings
Synopsis
A sitting Congress Lok Sabha MP has been dismissed by JNU after a university inquiry found him guilty of sexually harassing at least 11 female students — and the BJP is now pressing that political pressure all the way to the Congress office in Bengaluru, demanding his resignation from Parliament.
Key Takeaways
BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest outside the Congress office in Bengaluru on 12 October 2026 , demanding the resignation of Congress MP Prof.
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam .
JNU dismissed Akoijam on 9 October after an internal inquiry found him guilty of sexually harassing female students — a charge he denies.
At least 11 female students had filed complaints against him in May 2026 , alleging harassment at his campus residence and inappropriate remarks in class.
BJP MLC Bharathi Shetty questioned why Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the Congress leadership had not called for Akoijam's resignation.
Some BJP Mahila Morcha workers were detained after allegedly attempting to forcibly enter the Congress office.
Akoijam represents the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency and was a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, JNU .
The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha staged a protest in Bengaluru on Monday, 12 October, demanding the resignation of Congress Lok Sabha MP Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on 9 October after a university inquiry found him guilty of sexually harassing female students — a charge the lawmaker has denied.
What the Protest Involved
BJP Mahila Morcha workers gathered outside the Congress office in Bengaluru, raising slogans against the Congress national leadership and accusing the party of shielding the accused. Protesters held placards reading 'We condemn Rahul Gandhi who is playing drama of women security' and 'Congress party is nursing lustful MP sacked by JNU'. Some workers were subsequently detained and taken to an undisclosed location after allegedly attempting to enter the Congress office forcibly.
The demonstrators also directed slogans at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accusing them of failing to stand up for victims of sexual exploitation.
What BJP Leaders Said
Addressing the media at the protest site, BJP MLC Bharathi Shetty alleged that Akoijam was portraying himself as innocent while claiming the allegations had not been proved. She, however, argued that his removal by JNU indicated the charges had been established. 'Priyanka Gandhi, where are you when such people are being supported?' she asked, directly questioning the Congress leader's silence.
Shetty said the BJP strongly condemned Akoijam's alleged actions and reiterated the demand that he should resign from his parliamentary seat. She also questioned the Karnataka Congress government over the absence of adequate women's representation in the state cabinet.
The JNU Inquiry and Dismissal
Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, was a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU's School of Social Sciences. He was dismissed with immediate effect on 9 October following an internal inquiry into sexual harassment allegations.
At least 11 female students had filed complaints against him in May 2026. The complaints alleged that he invited students to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class. Akoijam has denied all allegations.
Political and Legal Context
This comes amid heightened scrutiny over how political parties handle sexual misconduct allegations against their own elected representatives. Notably, Akoijam's suspension by a JNU committee had preceded his formal dismissal, yet the Congress has not publicly called for his resignation — an omission the BJP has seized upon politically. The case has drawn national attention given the dual status of the accused as both a sitting MP and a university faculty member.
Whether the Congress will respond to calls for action — or whether Akoijam faces any parliamentary consequences — is expected to shape the next phase of this controversy.
Point of View
But the underlying facts are damaging for the Congress: a sitting MP has been formally dismissed by a premier central university following an inquiry — not merely accused. The Congress's silence on whether Akoijam should resign from Parliament is the most consequential gap here, and the party's record of demanding accountability from opponents while closing ranks internally will face scrutiny. What is also missing from the mainstream coverage is the question of parliamentary privilege and whether the Lok Sabha Speaker or any parliamentary committee will take cognisance of the JNU findings. That procedural dimension could outlast the current protest cycle.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam dismissed by JNU?
JNU dismissed Akoijam on 9 October 2026 after an internal inquiry found him guilty of sexually harassing female students. At least 11 female students had filed complaints in May 2026, alleging he invited them to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings and made inappropriate remarks in class. Akoijam has denied all the charges.
What did the BJP Mahila Morcha protest demand?
The BJP Mahila Morcha demanded that Akoijam resign from his Lok Sabha seat following his dismissal by JNU. The protesters also accused the Congress leadership — including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra — of shielding the accused instead of standing with the victims.
Who is Angomcha Bimol Akoijam?
Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam is a Congress MP representing the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency and was a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU's School of Social Sciences. He was dismissed from JNU with immediate effect on 9 October 2026 following the harassment inquiry.
Has the Congress responded to calls for Akoijam's resignation?
As of the protest on 12 October 2026, the Congress had not publicly called for Akoijam's resignation. The BJP Mahila Morcha has accused the party of protecting him, an allegation the Congress has not formally addressed in the available reports.
What happened to the BJP protesters in Bengaluru?
Some BJP Mahila Morcha workers were detained and taken to an undisclosed location after they allegedly attempted to forcibly enter the Congress office in Bengaluru during the protest on 12 October 2026.
