Manipur MP calls his dismissal as JNU prof 'witch hunt'

GUWAHATI: Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has called his dismissal as a professor of JNU a "witch hunt" and accused the institution of violating procedures for handling sexual harassment complaints."I have not received the internal committee recommendations and even the official dismissal order yet," Akoijam, who represents Inner Manipur, said, adding, "I have nothing to hide. This is a witch hunt." He said he would challenge the move through legal channels.Akoijam was dismissed from JNU after the university's internal committee inquired into allegations of sexual harassment by women students and recommended major punishment.At a presser at his residence in Imphal Friday night, Akoijam said JNU had disclosed his identity despite the confidentiality requirement. He said he learnt about the development through the media and had not received the inquiry report or recommendations. "The parties concerned should be given an opportunity to appeal against the findings within the stipulated 30-day period," he said. Meanwhile, Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh demanded Akoijam's resignation from Lok Sabha. In a social media post, he called the dismissal "deeply disturbing and shameful." Khemchand said the professor has tarnished Manipur's image. "Akoijam has lost the moral authority to continue as a public representative and should resign, respecting the sentiment of the people," he said.Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh attacked the Congress leadership. "Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will have to pay for harbouring someone facing serious sexual allegations for political gain," he said.The issue also resonated in Jammu, where BJP staged a protest seeking Rahul's resignation as LoP. Prabin Kalita is a journalist at The Times of India and is currently the Chief of Bureau (northeast). He has been reporting in mainstream Indian national media since 2001. He has been a field journalist reporting gamut of issues from India’s northeastern region and major developments in neighbouring countries like Myanmar, China, Bhutan and Bangladesh concerning India and northeastern region. He has been covering insurgency—internal and cross-border, politics, natural calamities, environment etc. He is a post-graduate in Geological Sciences from Gauhati University. [Image text:] >Phanj Editor Reviey