JNU Dismisses Congress MP from Teaching Job After Harassment Inquiry

Eleven women students complained about a professor who was also their elected representative: Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a Congress MP from Manipur. Jawaharlal Nehru University dismissed him from his teaching job on October 9, after its Internal Committee examined the sexual harassment claims and recommended a severe penalty. The university’s order made the dismissal effective immediately. ^7,9

That order followed an inquiry into complaints against Akoijam, who taught at JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems in New Delhi. The university said it considered the committee’s report and available facts, followed proper steps, and acted under its service rules. One account of the committee’s findings described claims that Akoijam asked women students about dating, made sexual remarks and touched students without their consent. It also reported that he held late-night oral exams at his home.^1,14 Akoijam denied the allegations, saying they were meant to damage his reputation. ^8,12

The dismissal changes his status at the university, but does not itself remove him from Parliament: Akoijam represents Inner Manipur in the Lok Sabha. The case has also become a political fight. BJP leaders accused Congress leaders of not responding adequately, while the BJP women’s wing in Manipur called on Akoijam to resign as an MP and asked Congress to act.^2,3 ABVP, the student group that had pressed JNU to act, called the dismissal a step toward accountability.⁵ The university’s decision is an employment matter based on its internal inquiry, not a reported decision about his parliamentary seat.

That distinction leaves a clear next step for Congress: the party faces public calls to decide whether to discipline its MP. The sources report no decision by Congress to remove him from the party or his Lok Sabha seat. JNU’s order, signed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, settles his university employment, while the political response remains separate. ^2,3