Manipur BJP MLA, Youths Back Bimol Akoijam Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
BJP MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh urges Congress MP to seek legal recourse, while youths rally in Imphal alleging political targeting.
A BJP MLA in Manipur has openly expressed support for Congress MP and former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam amid sexual harassment allegations against him, praising his contribution to the state in Parliament. Meanwhile, a group of youths staged a rally towards the BJP office in Imphal, condemning the allegations and expressing solidarity with the MP.
BJP MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh, speaking at a Seva Sankalp Abhiyan function in Imphal West district on Wednesday, said, “We trust and deeply respect Bimol, who is presently serving as a Member of Parliament. He is our elected representative. We trust him wholeheartedly for raising the voice of the people of Manipur in Parliament.”
Referring to the allegations involving female students, Singh said the reports had deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Manipur.
“Since there are courts of law to decide what is right and what is wrong, I would like to urge my brother Bimol Akoijam to prove himself innocent and establish that every allegation levelled against him is false by seeking legal recourse at the earliest,” he said.
The BJP MLA added that this would help heal the hurt sentiments of the people and prevent those outside Manipur from viewing its people in a derogatory manner.
He further said the hurt caused to the people of the state needed to be addressed by establishing Akoijam's innocence through the judicial process.
Meanwhile, a large group of youths took out a protest march in Imphal, carrying placards reading “A decent leader we support” and raising slogans against the BJP. The protesters condemned the allegations against Akoijam and expressed support for the former JNU professor.
The demonstrators attempted to enter the BJP's state office, located less than 100 metres from Lok Bhavan, but were stopped by police personnel.
“We strongly denounce the allegations against Bimol. The youth stands for Bimol Akoijam. He is being targeted by the BJP because he stood for Manipur. To suppress him is to suppress the state. Do not politicise the issue,” a protester said.
The rally came a day after several women MPs, including Manipur BJP president and Rajya Sabha member A. Sharda Devi, submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention in the sexual harassment allegations against Akoijam.
