The COCOMI Women’s Wing has criticised the dismissal of Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), calling for fairness and proper scrutiny of the allegations against him.
The organisation raised concerns over the university’s handling of sexual harassment complaints and the political campaign demanding the Congress MP’s resignation. Its intervention comes amid growing controversy over the case in Manipur.
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COCOMI Women’s Wing Questions JNU’s Decision
The COCOMI Women’s Wing expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding Akoijam’s removal from his university position. It argued that the handling of the complaints required careful examination under established procedures.
During a press conference in Imphal on Friday, October 16, the organisation questioned the process followed by JNU and stressed the importance of fairness and transparency. It also criticised attempts to turn the controversy into a political battle.
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Moreover, the organisation maintained that allegations should receive proper scrutiny before political pressure shapes public opinion. Its position focused on the procedures followed by the university and the need to examine the case through appropriate channels.
The COCOMI Women’s Wing also questioned the demand for Akoijam’s resignation as a Member of Parliament while the controversy continued to attract public and political attention.
However, the organisation’s criticism of the dismissal does not establish whether the allegations are true or false. The complaints and the university’s decision remain distinct matters that require careful reporting.
Background to the Bimol Akoijam JNU Case
Akoijam represents the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency and won the seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket. Before his dismissal, he worked as a professor at JNU’s School of Social Sciences.
On October 9, JNU dismissed Akoijam from university service following an inquiry by its Internal Committee into sexual harassment complaints. The university said it considered the committee’s report and available facts before taking the decision.
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Reports said the complaints involved allegations made by female students. Akoijam has rejected the allegations and questioned the procedure followed during the inquiry.
He has also described his dismissal as a politically motivated campaign and indicated that he would challenge the decision through legal channels. These are his claims, and they should be distinguished from the university’s stated reasons for dismissing him.
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Meanwhile, the case has drawn attention beyond the university because Akoijam is an elected representative from Manipur. The controversy has also prompted competing political reactions across the state.
COCOMI Women’s Wing Criticises Political Campaign
The COCOMI Women’s Wing raised concerns about political mobilisation following the dismissal. It questioned rallies demanding that Akoijam resign from Parliament while the wider dispute continued.
The organisation specifically criticised the campaign associated with BJP Manipur president and Rajya Sabha MP A. Sarda Devi, according to local media reports. The campaign has added another dimension to an already sensitive controversy involving a university inquiry and an elected representative.
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At the same time, BJP leaders and supporters have called for accountability over the allegations. Protest activity in Imphal has reflected the growing political disagreement surrounding the case.
However, demands for political accountability and questions about the fairness of an institutional inquiry are separate issues. Both require careful consideration without treating allegations as established criminal findings.
The COCOMI Women’s Wing has emphasised that political demonstrations should not replace established procedures. Its intervention has therefore brought attention to the relationship between institutional decisions, public debate and political pressure.
Why Due Process Matters in the JNU Controversy
The dispute highlights the importance of transparent procedures when institutions investigate complaints of sexual harassment. Universities must take complaints seriously while following the applicable rules and ensuring that the process is fair.
At the same time, public figures facing allegations are entitled to challenge decisions through appropriate legal channels. A dismissal by an institution and the outcome of any separate legal proceedings should not automatically be treated as the same thing.
The COCOMI Women’s Wing has called for scrutiny of the process surrounding Akoijam’s dismissal. Its position centres on whether the matter was handled appropriately and whether political campaigns risk influencing public perceptions before all relevant issues receive proper consideration.
Furthermore, the case has placed Manipur’s political leadership under renewed public scrutiny. The reactions from different groups demonstrate how allegations involving an elected representative can quickly become a wider political controversy.
Manipur Awaits Further Developments
The COCOMI Women’s Wing’s intervention has added another voice to the debate over Akoijam’s dismissal from JNU. Its call for fairness and procedural scrutiny comes as political reactions continue across Manipur.
The immediate focus remains on the university’s decision, the allegations against the MP and the competing claims about how the inquiry was handled. Akoijam has disputed the process, while JNU has said its decision followed an internal inquiry.
Ultimately, the controversy requires clear distinctions between allegations, institutional findings and any subsequent legal outcomes. Further developments will determine how the dispute progresses.
For now, the COCOMI Women’s Wing has urged scrutiny of the university’s actions and cautioned against allowing political mobilisation to dominate the discussion. The case continues to raise questions about due process, accountability and the handling of sensitive complaints involving public figures.