JNU dismisses Congress MP Akoijam over harassment; Manipur CM demands resignation
Synopsis
JNU has dismissed sitting Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam — a professor at its School of Social Sciences — after an internal enquiry into sexual harassment complaints filed by at least 11 female students. Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh is now publicly demanding his resignation from the Lok Sabha, putting the Congress on the back foot in a state already mired in political turbulence.
Key Takeaways
JNU dismissed Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam with immediate effect on Friday, 10 October 2026 .
The dismissal followed an Internal Committee enquiry into allegations of sexual harassment filed by at least 11 female students in May .
JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D.
Pandit issued the order, citing the Internal Committee's recommendation of 'major punishment'.
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh demanded Akoijam's resignation from the Lok Sabha , calling the conduct 'unacceptable and shameful'.
Akoijam represents the Inner Manipur constituency; no response from him or the Congress was available at the time of reporting.
A university dismissal does not automatically disqualify a sitting MP — a separate legal or parliamentary process would be required.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday, 10 October 2026, dismissed Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from service with immediate effect, following an internal enquiry into allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by at least 11 female students. A day later, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh demanded that Akoijam resign from the Lok Sabha, calling the dismissal 'deeply disturbing and shameful.'
The Dismissal Order
JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit issued the formal dismissal order on Friday, citing the findings of the university's Internal Committee, which had conducted an enquiry against Prof. Akoijam of the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences. The order stated that the Internal Committee 'recommended major punishment' as per service rules and invoked provisions of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. 'The punishment of dismissal from the services of the University is hereby imposed on Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam... with immediate effect,' the order read.
What the Complaints Alleged
According to media reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May. The complaints alleged that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in the classroom. The specific findings of the Internal Committee's enquiry were not publicly available at the time of reporting.
Manipur CM's Demand for Resignation
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh responded sharply on Saturday, posting his views on both Facebook and X. 'Such grave misconduct by a holder of high legislative office and a professor is unacceptable and tarnishes the image of Manipur,' he wrote. He added that 'as an MP represents the voice of the people, the sanctity of Parliament must be upheld' and that Akoijam 'has lost the moral authority to continue as a public representative and should resign from the Lok Sabha immediately, respecting the sentiment of the people.'
Akoijam's Response
No official statement or response from Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, was available at the time of reporting. The Congress party had also not issued any public comment on the dismissal or the Chief Minister's demand.
What Happens Next
Akoijam retains his seat in the Lok Sabha unless he resigns or is disqualified through a separate legal or parliamentary process — a university dismissal does not automatically strip a sitting MP of membership. The episode adds political pressure on the Indian National Congress (INC), which is already navigating a difficult landscape in Manipur. Observers will watch whether the party takes any internal disciplinary action and whether Akoijam contests the dismissal order before a court or tribunal.
Point of View
Not partisan. Yet the Congress's silence is telling: any defence of Akoijam risks alienating the party's own base on gender accountability, while cutting him loose means ceding the Inner Manipur seat ahead of a potentially volatile political cycle. Chief Minister Khemchand Singh's public call for resignation is also calculated — the BJP-led state government has every incentive to keep this story alive. The broader question is whether Parliament itself has any mechanism to act when a member is found guilty of misconduct outside the House, a gap in accountability architecture that this case exposes sharply.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam dismissed from JNU?
JNU dismissed Akoijam after its Internal Committee conducted an enquiry into sexual harassment allegations filed by at least 11 female students and recommended major punishment. The dismissal order, issued by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, took effect immediately on 10 October 2026.
Who is Angomcha Bimol Akoijam?
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam is a Congress MP representing the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. He was also a professor at JNU's Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, before his dismissal.
What exactly did the JNU internal enquiry find?
The Internal Committee found sufficient grounds to recommend major punishment against Akoijam under Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules. The specific findings of the enquiry were not publicly disclosed at the time of reporting.
Does the JNU dismissal affect Akoijam's seat in Parliament?
No — a university dismissal does not automatically strip a sitting MP of Lok Sabha membership. Akoijam would need to resign voluntarily, or be disqualified through a separate legal or parliamentary disqualification process, to lose his seat.
Why is Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh demanding Akoijam's resignation?
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh argued that the gravity of the misconduct, confirmed through a due-process enquiry, disqualifies Akoijam on moral grounds from holding public office. He said the sanctity of Parliament and public trust demand that Akoijam step down from the Lok Sabha immediately.
