Guwahati: Congress MP from Manipur, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has called his dismissal by Jawaharlal Nehru University a “witch hunt” and accused the university of violating the law on handling sexual harassment complaints.He said, “I have not received the internal committee recommendations and even the official dismissal order yet.”“I have nothing to hide. This is nothing but a witch hunt,” he said, adding that he would pursue the matter through legal channels.Manipur’s BJP chief minister Y Khemchand Singh demanded that Akoijam resign from the Lok Sabha. In a social media post, Khemchand called the dismissal “deeply disturbing and shameful.” He said that, as per the official order, the Internal Committee had inquired into the allegations and recommended major punishment, and that Akoijam had been dismissed from service “following due process.”Khemchand said such grave misconduct by a holder of high legislative office and a professor was unacceptable and tarnished Manipur’s image. “On moral grounds, Prof 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,” he said.Akoijam, who represents Inner Manipur, was dismissed from JNU, where he is a professor, after the university’s Internal Committee inquired into allegations of sexual harassment by female students and recommended major punishment.At a press conference at his residence in Keishamthong in Imphal on Friday night, Akoijam said the university had breached the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.He cited Section 16, which bars disclosure of information on complaints and inquiry proceedings, and alleged that JNU had disclosed his identity despite the confidentiality requirement.He also questioned the timing of the reported inquiry findings and the dismissal order, saying he had not received the inquiry report or recommendations before he learnt of the development through the media.“The parties concerned should be given an opportunity to appeal against the findings within the stipulated 30-day period,” he said. He also cited provisions requiring a show-cause notice before action is taken, and alleged that the prescribed procedure was not followed.Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh turned the focus on the Congress leadership. In a social media post, he told Rahul Gandhi: “Kaan Khulke Soonlo. You’ll have to pay for harbouring someone facing serious sexual allegations for political gain.”Biren Singh recalled that Gandhi had raised the mob-related incidents and violence during the Manipur conflict, including by leading a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, and said this had damaged Manipur’s image internationally.He asked what Gandhi would do now and why he should not resign as Leader of the Opposition. “The same standards of accountability that he demands from others must also apply to his own party,” he said.
