New Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan Sunday questioned Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s silence over the sexual harassment allegations against Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, saying not a single Congress leader or spokesperson has spoken up.
“…As an MP, he has responsibilities, and as a professor, who is regarded as a teacher and even as God, he has an even greater responsibility. At a time when Navratri begins, and women are worshipped as goddesses in our country, such incidents are happening. What is more concerning is the selective criticism by political parties. When such incidents occur under another party or government, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi take to the streets, but when their own MP faces such allegations, not a single Congress leader or spokesperson has spoken up…” Paswan said.
JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan also questioned the Lok Sabha LoP, saying such serious matters demanded a response from the Leader of the Opposition.
“Rahul Gandhi’s silence is undoubtedly surprising. Imagine if a similar incident had been linked to a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party or the NDA. What would Rahul ji’s reaction have been then?” Ranjan said.
He further said that the allegations against Akoijam, who is both a professor and a Congress MP, were serious and raised questions about the expectations people had of their elected representatives.
“If such serious allegations are being made against a professor who is also a Congress MP, it raises concerns about the expectations the public has of its MPs. Rahul Gandhi’s silence on such a matter is questionable. If he is the Leader of the Opposition, people expect him to respond to such issues. A dual approach on matters of this seriousness cannot be tolerated,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has dismissed its professor and Congress Lok Sabha member from Inner Manipur, Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, after finding him guilty of sexually harassing female students.
The dismissal, ordered with immediate effect, followed the findings of the university’s Internal Committee (IC), which recommended a “major punishment” against him.
According to NDTV, it accessed a copy of the order signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Santishree D. Pandit. The order stated that an internal inquiry had been conducted against Akoijam, who was associated with the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, following allegations of sexual harassment.
“An inquiry was conducted by the Internal Committee (IC) against Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, pursuant to allegations of sexual harassment. Based on the findings, the Internal Committee (IC) recommended a major punishment to Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam,” the order read.
