BJP Mahila Morcha Protests at Congress Office in Lucknow
BJP Mahila Morcha staged a massive protest outside the Congress office in Lucknow following sexual harassment allegations against a JNU professor and MP.
The BJP Mahila Morcha launched a massive demonstration outside the Congress party office in Lucknow on Saturday, escalating political tensions in Uttar Pradesh. The protest was organized to voice outrage over serious sexual harassment allegations involving a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor and Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
Massive Demonstration in Lucknow
Members of the BJP's women's wing gathered to demand accountability and used the demonstration to press their political demands. The protest in Lucknow is part of a larger, coordinated campaign by the Mahila Morcha, which intends to carry out similar demonstrations at both state and district levels across the country to draw national attention to the controversy.
JNU Dismisses Professor Following Inquiry
The protest follows significant developments at JNU, where Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, associated with the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, was officially dismissed from service. The university issued an order on October 9, stating that the dismissal is effective immediately.
The decision came after a rigorous inquiry conducted by the university's Internal Committee (IC). Key details regarding the dismissal include:
- The Allegations: Eleven female students at JNU accused the professor of sexual harassment.
- The Verdict: The Internal Committee recommended major punishment based on its findings.
- Legal Basis: The university cited UGC guidelines and the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules to justify the dismissal.
Delayed Action and DCW Intervention
The case has been marked by claims of administrative negligence. Female students had previously alleged that the university administration failed to act promptly on their initial complaints, which were reportedly submitted to the Vice-Chancellor as far back as May.
The matter gained further momentum when the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) took suo motu cognisance of the situation after videos regarding the allegations circulated on social media. The DCW had demanded a factual report from the JNU administration, specifically questioning whether the complaints were referred to the Internal Complaints Committee and what specific actions were taken to ensure a sensitive and lawful response.