Two days after supporters of MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam took to the streets to condemn the BJP’s demand for his resignation, the party’s youth wing staged a counter-protest in Imphal today, demanding that the Congress MP step down over sexual harassment allegations linked to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Manipur unit, began its rally at the BJP headquarters at Nityapat Chuthek and marched towards Congress Bhavan along BT Road. The protesters carried placards demanding justice for the students who raised the allegations and calling for truth, accountability and protection of Manipur’s dignity.
The demonstration intensified outside Congress Bhavan, where police personnel deployed in large numbers stopped the protesters from entering the premises. The confrontation with BJP youth workers briefly heightened tensions, while Congress members inside the barricaded premises responded with slogans of “Shame, shame BJP”.
A BJYM member questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders, including those in the All India Congress Committee, over the allegations, citing Rahul Gandhi’s stated commitment to fighting patriarchy. He said the case had caused concern in Manipur and called for the truth to emerge and justice to be delivered.
A protester argued that Bimol Akoijam, as an elected representative, had a responsibility to the people of the state and should resign and allow the court to determine his guilt or innocence.
Congress leaders, however, challenged the BJP’s demand. MPCC Youth leader Popilal questioned why the ruling party’s youth wing was seeking justice from the opposition when the BJP-led government had 55 MLAs in the state Assembly, compared with five Congress MLAs. He described the rally as an attempt to divert public attention from the killings and the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
The protest came after Bimol Akoijam appeared before investigators at Vasant Kunj North Police Station in New Delhi on Thursday night in connection with the case. He had been served a police notice on Wednesday asking him to join the investigation. The case was registered on October 11 following a complaint by JNU’s chief security officer.
