BJP, JD(U) slam Rahul Gandhi for silence on Congress MP Akoijam's harassment case
Synopsis
Delhi Police have summoned Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment complaints filed by 11 JNU female students, triggering a BJP-JD(U) offensive against Rahul Gandhi for staying silent — even as Akoijam claims the allegations are tied to his criticism of the Manipur ethnic conflict.
Key Takeaways
BJP and JD(U) on 15 October accused Rahul Gandhi of double standards for not speaking out against his party's MP over sexual harassment allegations.
Delhi Police summoned Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam for questioning on Thursday.
An FIR was registered on 11 October at Vasant Kunj North Police Station under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the BNS .
At least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May , alleging misconduct at his JNU campus residence.
Akoijam, who was dismissed as a JNU professor , has denied the allegations are genuine, attributing them to his criticism of the Manipur ethnic conflict response.
The Congress party had not issued a formal statement on the matter as of Thursday.
New Delhi, 15 October 2026 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the sexual harassment allegations levelled by 11 female students against Congress MP and sacked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, accusing Gandhi of practising double standards on women's rights. The political offensive came on the same day Delhi Police summoned Akoijam for questioning in connection with the ongoing probe.
Political Salvo from BJP and JD(U)
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav alleged that Akoijam's conduct was not an isolated incident. 'This reflects the mindset of the Congress party. This is not the first time the professor has allegedly engaged in such misconduct. He has behaved inappropriately with several girls and female students, and people may be aware of his conduct, but the Congress party protects such people. It is unfortunate. Such people bring shame to society,' he said.
BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi accused Gandhi of hypocrisy, arguing that the LoP regularly champions women's rights in public discourse but has conspicuously stayed silent on the allegations against his own party's MP. 'Delhi Police summoning Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam following serious sexual harassment allegations by 11 female students is proof of the impartiality of the law,' Saraogi said.
JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan called the alleged behaviour disturbing and unacceptable. 'From a public perception perspective, the Congress should have intervened and taken action in this matter, as the professor is also a party MP. However, the Congress' silence so far is surprising,' he said.
Delhi Police Summons and FIR Details
Delhi Police summoned Akoijam for questioning on Thursday in connection with the sexual harassment allegations stemming from his tenure at JNU. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on 11 October at Vasant Kunj North Police Station, based on a complaint filed by JNU's Chief Security Officer. The FIR invokes Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Akoijam, who was dismissed from his JNU professorship, has been formally named in the FIR, and the investigation is ongoing.
What the Allegations State
According to reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May. The complaints allege that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and allegedly attempted to sexually harass them. The allegations remain under investigation, and no court has returned a finding of guilt.
Akoijam's Response
The Inner Manipur MP has denied that the allegations are straightforward, asserting that they are linked to his outspoken criticism of the handling of the ethnic conflict in Manipur. He has suggested the complaints are politically motivated, though investigators have not publicly confirmed or dismissed that claim.
What Happens Next
The investigation is at an early stage, with police conducting questioning as part of the probe. The Congress party has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. Political pressure from BJP and JD(U) is likely to intensify ahead of the next parliamentary session, with women's rights emerging as a central battleground in the opposition's credibility debate.
Point of View
But it lands on genuinely awkward terrain for the Congress: a sitting MP summoned by police over complaints filed by more than a dozen students is not a charge a party championing women's safety can easily deflect. Gandhi's public silence so far is itself a political choice — and one that his opponents will exploit. The broader irony is that the same party that has invoked 'women's dignity' as a parliamentary cudgel now faces precisely that argument turned against it. Whether or not the allegations are eventually proven, the Congress's institutional response — or absence of one — will set a precedent for how it handles internal accountability in the months ahead.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and why has he been summoned?
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam is a Congress MP from Inner Manipur and a former JNU professor who was dismissed from his academic post. Delhi Police summoned him on 15 October 2026 for questioning over sexual harassment complaints filed by at least 11 female JNU students, following an FIR registered on 11 October at Vasant Kunj North Police Station.
What are the specific allegations against Akoijam?
According to reports, at least 11 female students alleged that Akoijam invited them to his JNU campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. The complaints were filed in May and are currently under police investigation. No court has determined guilt.
Why are BJP and JD(U) targeting Rahul Gandhi over this case?
BJP and JD(U) leaders argue that Gandhi frequently invokes women's rights in public debate but has remained silent on the harassment allegations against his own party MP. They accuse him of maintaining double standards, with BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi specifically pointing to the police summons as evidence that the law is taking the complaints seriously.
What has Akoijam said in his defence?
Akoijam has asserted that the sexual harassment allegations are politically motivated and linked to his criticism of the government's handling of the ethnic conflict in Manipur. Investigators have not publicly confirmed or dismissed that claim.
Under which legal sections was the FIR registered?
The FIR was registered at Vasant Kunj North Police Station under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint filed by JNU's Chief Security Officer.
