Sharda Devi, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Manipur, has accused supporters of Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of mistreating women amid a growing political controversy over sexual harassment allegations involving female students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). She made the allegations on October 13 as BJP women leaders pursued action against the parliamentarian.
The BJP leader said her party had filed police complaints and approached the Cyber Crime cell over alleged mistreatment of women. However, the specific incidents she cited could not be independently verified from the available information. Her remarks have added to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the allegations against Akoijam.
Sharda Devi raises allegations against supporters
Sharda Devi alleged that people supporting Akoijam had continued to mistreat women during the ongoing controversy. She said the BJP had submitted multiple complaints to the police and the Cyber Crime cell, although she did not provide a detailed account of the individual cases in the reported statement.
The BJP president also expressed anger over the allegations involving female students at JNU. She questioned how a professor at an educational institution could face such accusations, arguing that universities should uphold moral values and ensure students’ safety.
Moreover, Sharda criticised those who allegedly knew about the reported misconduct but remained silent. She said the controversy had caused her embarrassment as someone from Manipur.
Her comments reflected the BJP’s wider effort to make women’s safety and accountability central to its criticism of the Congress MP. Nevertheless, her allegations against Akoijam’s supporters remain separate from the complaints concerning the university students.
BJP intensifies pressure over Akoijam allegations
The latest remarks follow a series of BJP protests demanding accountability from Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha. On October 9, Sharda Devi called for his resignation after JNU dismissed him from its teaching position following an internal inquiry into complaints by female students.
The university’s decision has since become a major political issue. On October 10, BJP workers and members of the party’s women’s wing marched in Imphal towards Congress Bhavan, demanding that Akoijam step down as a parliamentarian.
Additionally, the BJP has questioned the Congress leadership’s response to the allegations. Party leaders have argued that political representatives must demonstrate accountability when serious complaints involving women emerge.Sharda Devi links controversy to women’s safety
Sharda Devi’s latest allegations broaden the dispute beyond the university inquiry. By claiming that Akoijam’s supporters had mistreated women, she raised concerns about the treatment of women during the political fallout.
However, the available reports do not establish the circumstances behind the complaints she mentioned. They also do not identify the alleged perpetrators or provide details that would independently confirm her claims.
Therefore, the allegations against supporters should not be treated as established wrongdoing. Police complaints and cybercrime reports, where filed, require appropriate examination by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the wider controversy has prompted competing claims from political leaders in Manipur. The BJP has focused on the allegations against Akoijam, while Congress representatives have challenged the party’s criticism and questioned its motives.
The dispute highlights the need to distinguish political accusations from findings supported by evidence. It also places renewed attention on how institutions and political parties respond to complaints involving women’s safety.
Congress MP disputes JNU inquiry process
Akoijam has rejected the allegations and challenged the university’s handling of the investigation. Following his dismissal, he accused JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit of misrepresenting his cooperation with the internal inquiry.
He said he had submitted a written response and that witnesses supporting his defence had provided statements. Akoijam described the proceedings as politically motivated and questioned aspects of the university’s account.
However, JNU maintained that it had acted after considering the available material and the Internal Committee’s report. The university dismissed him on October 9 following complaints from female students.
A further development came on October 13, when Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) concerning the sexual harassment allegations. The police received documents including the university’s dismissal order and inquiry report.
The registration of an FIR marks a formal step in the police process. It does not, by itself, establish criminal guilt. Akoijam has continued to dispute the allegations and raise questions about the inquiry.
Political row puts accountability in focus
The confrontation between the BJP and Congress continues as the allegations draw attention in Manipur and beyond. Sharda Devi’s claims about the treatment of women by Akoijam’s supporters have added another layer to an already contentious dispute.
For now, the allegations against the supporters remain unverified, while the complaints involving Akoijam are subject to separate scrutiny. The university has taken disciplinary action, and the police investigation has begun.
Ultimately, the matter will require careful examination of the evidence and the responses of the relevant authorities. Political parties may continue to demand accountability, but claims of wrongdoing must remain distinct from proven facts.
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