New Delhi/Shimla, Oct 12 (PTI) The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday protested outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi and several places in Himachal Pradesh, demanding the expulsion of the opposition party’s Inner Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was sacked as professor from JNU over sexual harassment charges.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi, who was also part of the protest in Delhi, ‘Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan’, accused Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of giving “hollow slogans” in support of girls.
“Today, on behalf of our women and the daughters of this country, we want to ask Priyanka Gandhi ji: What happened to your slogan, ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon (I am a girl, and I can fight)’? Has it become an empty slogan? Where has it gone?” the minister asked.
The BJP women’s wing protested against the Congress “brazen protection” of Akoijam.
“An MP from your party has sexually harassed 11 girls. Even Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has taken action against this accused MP and dismissed him. Despite all this, why are you still silent? When will you break your silence, Rahul Gandhi? When will you expel that MP? What action have you taken against him?” Devi asked.
The minister alleged that the inaction on the part of the Congress showed that “there is no place for women in your party”.
Targeting Priyanka Gandhi, Devi said, “Today, those 11 girls are also fighting. They are asking you how you will ensure justice for them, but you remain silent.”
“How long will this double standard and hypocrisy continue? You must answer these questions,” she said.
Asked about the Congress’s protest against the chief election commissioner, Devi accused the party of attempting to divert attention from the allegations against its own MP through protests.
“The party should first ensure justice for the victims,” she said.
BJP Mahila Morcha president Roopkumari Choudhary said that the voice of justice would not be silenced and the strength of women would not bow down.
She further added that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party leadership should be ashamed for shielding an MP involved in this criminal act by providing him with political protection.
“The Congress party’s talk of women’s rights is merely a sham; in reality, their mindset is anti-women,” she said.
BJP Mahila Morcha in-charge D Purandeswari said the JNU Internal Committee’s report had brought to light allegations of molestation involving 11 female students and despite this, the silence of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi was unfortunate.
The women’s wing strongly condemned this attitude and demanded that Rahul Gandhi apologise to the women of the country and that the accused MP be immediately expelled from the Congress party.
Talking to PTI Videos in Delhi, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, “The top Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, as well as the party as a whole, have maintained silence on this matter. I wish to ask Rahul Gandhi: Is ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ merely political rhetoric or an election slogan for you? If not, then demonstrate this by taking action today against your MP, Bimol Akoijam.”
The BJP Mahila Morcha in Himachal Pradesh also held protests over the issue in all 12 districts of the state during which effigies of Rahul Gandhi and Akoijam were burnt.
The outfit’s state president Daisy Thakur said, “When women’s identity is threatened, every woman becomes Durga and Chandi. No political compromise can be accepted on the issue of women’s honour and safety.”
She said Congress leaders should demonstrate accountability in matters related to their party, while also advocating for the respect of women.
The movement of Mahila Morcha is demanding dignity, security and justice for women, Thakur said, adding that the organisation will continue to raise its voice on these issues.
Akoijam, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU’s School of Social Sciences, was dismissed with immediate effect on October 9 following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him, charges he has denied.
According to reports, at least 11 female students had filed sexual harassment complaints against him in May this year. The complaints alleged that he invited students to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students had also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.
An FIR was registered against Akoijam on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and insulting a woman’s modesty based on a complaint lodged by JNU’s chief security officer. PTI KSH COR PRK
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