The controversy surrounding the dismissal of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has escalated into a political confrontation, with the BJP demanding accountability from the Congress leadership over allegations of sexual harassment against him. A protest by BJP leaders in Delhi on Monday brought the issue into the political spotlight, raising questions about institutional accountability, the conduct of elected representatives and the consistency of political parties in addressing allegations of misconduct.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its attack on the Congress on Monday, staging a protest in Delhi over the sexual harassment allegations against Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a Congress MP from Manipur and former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The demonstration was directed not only at Akoijam but also at the Congress leadership, with BJP leaders demanding an explanation from Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over what they described as the party's failure to act against its parliamentarian.
The protesters raised slogans against Akoijam and Rahul Gandhi and displayed placards carrying the phrase "marks for sex", referring to allegations concerning the former professor's conduct towards female students. The BJP sought to turn the controversy into a broader question of political responsibility, arguing that parties cannot demand accountability from their opponents while remaining silent when allegations concern their own representatives.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence on the matter and asked why the Congress had not taken action against its sitting MP. Another BJP leader, Tarun Chugh, alleged that Akoijam continued to enjoy the protection of Congress leaders and questioned the party's response to complaints reportedly filed by 11 female students. BJP spokesperson Radhika Khera also accused the Congress of applying different standards to allegations involving members of rival political parties and those within its own ranks.
The Congress must answer legitimate questions about its standards of conduct and the responsibilities of its representatives. The BJP, meanwhile, must ensure that its demand for accountability remains consistent with the principles of fairness and due process.
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