GUWAHATI: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has dismissed Congress MP and professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from its services with immediate effect following an inquiry into sexual harassment complaints against him.
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According to an order issued on Friday, the university’s Internal Committee (IC) conducted an inquiry into allegations against Akoijam, who was associated with the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences.
The order stated that the committee recommended major punishment based on its findings. Citing the applicable service rules and Rule 11(ix) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, the university said it had decided to dismiss Akoijam after following due process and considering the available facts and the committee’s report.
According to reports, 11 women students filed complaints against Akoijam. The allegations reportedly include claims of sexual advances linked to marks. However, the detailed findings of the Internal Committee have not been made public in the material available.
The case has raised questions about the response of the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, to the complaints and the dismissal. Questions include whether the party will address the matter publicly, support a fair process and the protection of complainants, and clarify that political affiliation does not place anyone beyond scrutiny. No statement from Rahul Gandhi or the Congress leadership was included in the material available.
Questions have also been raised about the responses of student organisations, including AISA, SFI and NSUI, when the complaints emerged. These include whether they publicly supported the complainants, demanded accountability and pressed for a timely, independent inquiry. Any documented actions or statements by these organisations would need to be considered in assessing their responses.
Akoijam's simultaneous roles as a Lok Sabha MP and a JNU professor have also prompted questions about the rules governing parliamentary office and university employment. These include whether a sitting MP can hold a teaching position, what disclosure requirements applied to his appointment and whether JNU's service rules imposed any specific obligations. These questions would need to be examined under the applicable laws and university regulations rather than assuming that all outside employment by MPs is prohibited.
