Manipur CM Demands Congress MP Akoijam’s Resignation After JNU Dismissal

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday demanded the resignation of Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam following his dismissal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over sexual harassment complaints, saying the development had compromised the dignity of Parliament.

Akoijam, who represents Inner Manipur in the Lok Sabha, was a professor at JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences. He has described his dismissal as a “witch hunt” and questioned whether due process was followed.

In a social media post, Singh said JNU’s Internal Committee had conducted an inquiry into the allegations 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,” the chief minister said.

Emphasising the responsibilities of an elected representative, Singh said an MP was the “voice of the people” and that 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,” he said.

According to reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May. The complaints alleged that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them.

Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class. The dismissal order reportedly cited the applicable service rules and Rule 11(ix) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules while imposing the punishment.

Akoijam, however, has challenged the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, raising questions about the procedure followed in the case. The chief minister’s demand comes amid the political fallout over the dismissal of the Congress MP, with Singh insisting that he should step down from Parliament on moral grounds.