The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha on Thursday, 15 October met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum demanding stringent action against Congress Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who faces sexual harassment complaints lodged by 11 female students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The delegation accused the Congress of double standards on women's dignity.

What the Delegation Demanded

The delegation was led by BJP Mahila Morcha National President Rupkumari Choudhary. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said the group urged Birla to take cognisance of the matter and ensure swift and impartial action without any political interference.

Choudhary alleged a broader pattern of Congress leaders mistreating women, pointing to an incident last week in which she claimed Congress media coordinator Sanjeev Singh mistreated BJP Mahila Morcha workers during a peaceful protest. She also cited separate incidents involving a woman constable and a journalist.

Background: The JNU Case Against Akoijam

Akoijam, a former professor at JNU and currently the Congress MP from Manipur, faces allegations of sexual harassment submitted in writing by 11 female students in May. According to the memorandum, an internal committee of the university investigated the complaints and found the allegations to be substantiated. The university administration subsequently dismissed Akoijam on 9 October.

This is not the first such representation by the BJP Mahila Morcha on the matter. Similar memoranda were earlier submitted to President Droupadi Murmu and National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.

BJP Attack on Congress Leadership

Swaraj trained her sharpest remarks on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his silence on the demand to expel Akoijam from the party. 'Rahul Gandhi may have a strong voice when he calls for smash the patriarchy, but why does his voice fall silent when it comes to Bimal Akoijam?' she asked. She also noted that Priyanka Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi had similarly not commented on the matter.

'Congress feminism certainly begins with hashtags, but is sacrificed when it comes to accountability,' Swaraj said. Choudhary echoed the charge, alleging the Congress was patronising its tainted MP even after his dismissal from the university.

BJP Mahila Morcha Pledge to Complainants

Choudhary said her organisation stands firmly with the 11 complainants. 'All BJP Mahila Morcha workers are committed to protecting those sisters and daughters, ensuring justice, and standing with them. In the coming days, from the streets to Parliament, the BJP Mahila Morcha will stand with those 11 daughters and continue this fight for justice,' she said.

With the matter now formally placed before the Lok Sabha Speaker, political pressure on Congress is set to intensify in the weeks ahead, particularly as Parliament's next session approaches.