The controversy surrounding Bimol Akoijam has exposed divisions within Meitei society. While BJP leaders demand accountability, COCOMI’s Women’s Wing and other organisations have cautioned against a political and media trial before the legal process concludes.
BY PC Bureau
October 18: The dismissal of Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from his professorship at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has triggered a political and social confrontation in Manipur, exposing divisions within Meitei society over accountability, due process and the alleged politicisation of sexual-harassment complaints.
JNU terminated Bimol Akoijam, the Lok Sabha MP representing Inner Manipur, with immediate effect on October 9, 2026, following an inquiry by its Internal Committee into complaints made by female students. The dismissal order, signed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, said the committee had recommended “major punishment” under the applicable service rules and that the university had considered its findings before imposing the penalty. Reports said 11 female students had complained against him.
The allegations against Bimol Akoijam reportedly included sexually suggestive remarks, intrusive questions about students’ personal lives, unwelcome physical contact and invitations to his residence for meetings or viva examinations. The committee’s assessment, as reported by the media, described a recurring pattern of inappropriate interactions and concluded that the conduct had created a hostile learning environment for women students. Akoijam has denied the allegations and challenged the university’s account of the inquiry.
The controversy has since moved beyond the university, with political parties, civil-society organisations and community groups taking sharply different positions. While the BJP has demanded that Akoijam resign from Parliament, his supporters and several Meitei organisations have questioned the timing and fairness of the university’s action, warning against turning the case into a political campaign before the legal process has run its course.
NPP calls for due process and restraint
The Meitei-dominated Manipur unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) has called for restraint, emphasising the need to uphold due process and the rule of law.
NPP spokesperson Jaya Khangembam on Sunday said political alliances should not automatically dictate a party’s position on an individual controversy. She maintained that the party would not support Akoijam if he were found guilty through proper procedure, while stressing that the allegations should not be treated as conclusively established before the process is complete.
The position highlights the difficulty facing political parties in Manipur, where the controversy has become entangled with wider questions of community representation and political loyalty. It also offers a contrast to calls for immediate resignation, placing the emphasis instead on the outcome of the proceedings.
BJP demands Bimol Akoijam’s resignation
On the other hand, the BJP has made Akoijam’s dismissal a political issue in Manipur, arguing that the allegations and the university’s decision raise serious questions about his suitability to continue as a public representative.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh described the dismissal as “deeply disturbing and shameful” and called on the Congress MP to resign from the Lok Sabha. BJP leaders and party organisations, including its women’s wing, have organised demonstrations demanding accountability and justice for the students who complained against him.
The dismissal of Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, MP of Inner Manipur, from Jawaharlal Nehru University is deeply disturbing and shameful. As per official order, the Internal Committee inquired into allegations of sexual harassment against him at the University and recommended major punishment. Following due process, he has been dismissed from service. Such grave misconduct by a holder of high legislative office and a professor is unacceptable and tarnishes the image of Manipur. As MP represents the voice of the people, the sanctity of Parliament must be upheld. When its dignity is compromised, public trust is eroded. 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.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) October 10, 2026
The anti- Bimiol Akoijam protests have included marches in Imphal and demonstrations directed at Congress establishments. The BJP has framed its campaign around women’s safety, institutional accountability and the standards expected of elected representatives. The party’s position has also found expression beyond Manipur: BJP women MPs met President Droupadi Murmu on October 13 to seek action against Akoijam.
Bimol Akoijam prepares legal challenge
Akoijam has described the proceedings as a “witch hunt” and accused the university administration of failing to follow the law and established procedures. He has questioned Vice-Chancellor Pandit’s public account of his participation in the inquiry, maintaining that he submitted responses and produced witnesses.
He has also objected to the manner in which information about the case entered the public domain, arguing that the controversy has been accompanied by a media trial and political pressure. The MP has said he will challenge his dismissal in court.
Delhi Police registered an FIR on October 11 following a complaint by JNU’s chief security officer, with the university forwarding the internal inquiry material to the police. Akoijam was subsequently summoned to join the investigation and appeared before investigators at Vasant Kunj North police station on October 15.
The university’s disciplinary findings and the police investigation are separate processes. The dismissal reflects JNU’s decision following its internal inquiry; the FIR records allegations requiring investigation and is not, in itself, proof of criminal guilt.
READ: ‘No Kings’ Protests Sweep Across the US Ahead of Midterm Polls
‘End Media Trials Against MP Bimol Akoijam’: Manipur Groups https://t.co/54MkO8sMXc #DelhiProtest #SupremeCourt #CivilLiberties #FreedomOfAssembly #PressFreedom #PoliceCrackdown
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) October 15, 2026
COCOMI Women’s Wing questions BJP campaign
The Women’s Wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has criticised the political mobilisation demanding Akoijam’s resignation and questioned the circumstances surrounding his immediate termination.
At a press conference in Imphal, its representatives, including convenor Luwangleima, argued that the controversy should not be turned into a political contest capable of prejudicing the outcome of the legal proceedings. They called for fairness, transparency and adherence to established procedures.
The organisation’s position is not an endorsement of misconduct. Its representatives have said they would not support Akoijam if he were found guilty, while insisting that allegations must be dealt with through a fair process rather than public pressure.
The intervention is significant because it shows that the BJP’s campaign has encountered resistance from within Meitei civil society, including groups that place emphasis on women’s rights and the political representation of Manipur’s concerns.
Meitei organisations warn against media trial
Delhi-based Meitei organisations have also called for restraint. The Delhi Meetei Coordination Committee, Meitei Heritage Society, Ningol United Progressive Initiative and Team Meitei Personalities have issued a joint appeal for an impartial and confidential inquiry, criticising what they describe as sensational reporting and a media trial.
Former students have raised similar concerns, arguing that unverified claims and public commentary could damage the fairness of the process and cause harm to those involved. The Association of Meiteis in the Americas has also expressed solidarity with Bimol Akoijam, according to published reports.
These interventions reflect the position taken by sections of the community that the MP should not be judged solely through political rallies or media coverage. They also underline a distinction central to the controversy: demanding procedural fairness does not require dismissing the complaints of the women students, just as allegations must not automatically be treated as a criminal conviction.
The public response has therefore been far from uniform. While BJP supporters have demanded accountability, other Meitei organisations have questioned the political campaign and called for a fair determination of the allegations.
