Education / JNU Dismisses Congress MP Bimol Akoijam as Professor Over Sexual Harassment

New Delhi, Oct 9: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi has dismissed Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a faculty member and Congress Lok Sabha MP from Inner Manipur, following findings of sexual harassment against him by the university's Internal Committee (IC), officials said on Friday.

The action comes after multiple female students lodged complaints alleging inappropriate conduct, prompting an internal inquiry that recommended a major disciplinary penalty.

According to an official order issued by JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, the university imposed the punishment of dismissal with immediate effect after considering the findings of the Internal Committee and following due process.

The order stated that an inquiry was initiated against Akoijam, who was associated with the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences, after authorities received allegations of sexual harassment from students.

University officials said around 12 students from the Centre for the Study of Social Systems had filed complaints against the Professor. A total of 11 students, in particular, approached the university's internal panel alleging inappropriate remarks in classrooms, unwanted advances during gatherings and misconduct during academic interactions.

The complaints reportedly surfaced after a student shared her account of alleged inappropriate behaviour following viva examinations. Subsequently, several other students came forward with similar allegations.

The Internal Committee conducted a detailed inquiry and eventually recommended a "major punishment" against the Professor. Sources within JNU said the committee's report was placed before the university's Executive Council during its meeting on September 30, following which it was decided to terminate Akoijam's services.

Akoijam has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organisation affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had been demanding the Professor's resignation.