Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nainar Nagenthran on Monday, 12 October announced district-level demonstrations across the state, targeting the Indian National Congress (Congress) for its alleged silence over sexual harassment complaints against its Inner Manipur Member of Parliament, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. Protests are being held at all district headquarters, led by respective local BJP leaders.

What the Protests Are About

Nagenthran accused the Congress leadership of failing to respond to serious complaints filed by 11 women students against Akoijam, who previously served as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. The university dismissed him from service following an inquiry by its Internal Committee into the sexual harassment allegations, with the committee reportedly recommending stringent punishment.

Demonstrators are carrying banners condemning the Congress over its handling of the matter and accusing the party of failing to uphold women's rights. Nagenthran specifically targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his stated opposition to patriarchy while, he alleged, the party had failed to act against one of its own sitting parliamentarians.

What the BJP Alleges

Nagenthran argued that the Congress leadership's alleged silence is inconsistent with its publicly stated positions on women's dignity. He said the university's disciplinary action — and the circumstances surrounding the complaints — warranted a direct response from the party's top leadership. The BJP's criticism, he noted, reflects what the party characterises as a pattern of selective engagement with women's rights issues by the Congress.

This comes amid wider criticism from BJP leaders nationally over the Congress's response to the Akoijam case, with Tamil Nadu now becoming the latest state to organise formal protests over the issue.

Akoijam's Position

The MP has disputed the proceedings against him. Speaking at a press conference in Imphal, Akoijam described his dismissal as a 'witch hunt' and alleged that JNU had violated established procedures governing the handling of sexual harassment complaints. He said he had not received the Internal Committee's recommendations or the official dismissal order, and had learnt of the action through media reports. He also stated his intention to challenge the decision through legal channels, raising objections related to confidentiality and the denial of an opportunity to appeal.

Political and Legal Context

Akoijam won the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency seat for the Congress in the 2024 general elections, defeating sitting BJP MP Thokchom Meinya — a result that carried significant political weight given the backdrop of ethnic conflict in Manipur. His dismissal from JNU, now overlapping with his tenure as an MP, has created a politically charged situation for the Congress, which has not publicly commented on the university's action. The case raises questions about parliamentary accountability and the institutional mechanisms for addressing complaints against elected officials.

All eyes are now on whether the Congress leadership responds to the escalating pressure or maintains what critics are calling an unexplained silence on the matter.