‘What is this so-called harassment?’ Congress MP Akoijam amid JNU sexual assault charges | India News
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has termed the sexual harassment allegations against him at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as “harassment”, alleging that the university was trying to drag the matter to court to avoid scrutiny of its actions.His remarks come days after Delhi Police registered an FIR against him following a complaint by JNU’s chief security officer.Speaking on the allegations, Akoijam said, “This is nothing but harassment. They know that once this ‘khap panchayat’ style of doing by JNU is challenged in a court of law, the court will take notice of the complete disregard for norms, rules and regulations. So, they are trying to drag it to court. I have said this before, if you go into the merits of the case, people will get exposed – what is this so-called harassment allegations.“At least 11 female students had filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May this year, according to reports. The complaints alleged that he invited students to his on-campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks during classes and vivas.JNU dismissed Akoijam, who was associated with the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, with immediate effect on October 9 following an internal inquiry into the allegations. The university’s Internal Committee recommended a major penalty under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965. Akoijam has denied wrongdoing and described his dismissal as a “witch hunt”.Delhi Police registered an FIR against him at Vasant Kunj North police station on October 11, invoking Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with sexual harassment and insulting the modesty of a woman. The FIR names Akoijam, and an investigation is underway.Meanwhile, the BJP Mahila Morcha staged protests outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi and at several locations in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, demanding Akoijam’s expulsion from the party.
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Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi, who took part in the Delhi protest titled ‘Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan’, accused Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of giving “hollow slogans” in support of girls.BJP Mahila Morcha in-charge D Purandeswari said the JNU Internal Committee’s report had brought to light allegations of molestation involving 11 female students. She criticised Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for their silence and demanded that Rahul Gandhi apologise to women across the country and that the Congress immediately expel Akoijam.
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