Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following an internal enquiry into sexual harassment allegations, has rejected the charges and termed his removal a witch hunt by a “khap panchayat.”
Akoijam, a professor at JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences, was dismissed with immediate effect on October 9. The university’s Internal Complaints Committee found the allegations of “sex for marks” and sexual harassment to be substantiated.
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While rejecting the allegations, Akoijam accused the university of harassment and said that it had disregarded established procedures, while also claiming that he was not given an opportunity to respond to the committee’s findings.
“This is nothing but harassment,” he told reporters today, alleging that the university was attempting to avoid judicial scrutiny of its actions.
The Congress MP said the university’s handling of the matter would be challenged in court, where, he claimed, its alleged disregard for “norms, rules and regulations” would come under scrutiny.
He also questioned the merits of the allegations against him, saying that a closer examination of the case would expose what he described as the shortcomings in the harassment charges.
The sacked professor’s remarks came a day after Delhi Police registered a case against him based on a complaint lodged by the JNU administration.
According to reports, at least 11 women students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May.
The complainants alleged that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some also accused him of making obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.
Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP women MPs is expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, according to sources.
Also on Monday, the BJP’s women’s wing marched towards the Congress headquarters, demanding action against Akoijam. The protesters burnt effigies of Akoijam and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, questioning the latter’s claims of championing women’s rights and “smash the patriarchy.”
They also criticised his silence on the issue, asking when he would speak up for women’s dignity and take responsibility for ensuring justice for the complainants.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
