BJP Women's Wing Escalates Row Over Congress MP Sexual Harassment Case

The BJP Mahila Morcha submitted a memorandum to National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Wednesday, demanding swift action against Akoijam, a former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and current Congress Member of Parliament. According to the delegation, the petition encompasses complaints filed by eleven female students against the politician.

The memorandum details allegations of sexual harassment spanning multiple years, with the complainants coming primarily from Akoijam's academic tenure at JNU. The BJP women's wing characterized the matter as serious and demanded the NCW initiate a formal inquiry into the claims while recommending appropriate legal measures.

Rahatkar acknowledged receipt of the memorandum and assured the delegation that the commission would examine the matter in accordance with its established procedures. The NCW, a statutory body tasked with investigating complaints of gender-based violence and discrimination, typically initiates suo moto inquiries or responds to formal petitions filed by aggrieved parties or their representatives.

The timing of the complaint coincides with heightened political tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress party. The party has increasingly highlighted such allegations as part of broader criticism of Congress leadership, though the Congress has not issued an official response to the charges as of publication.

Akoijam's office could not be reached for comment. The case now enters the NCW's formal review process, which typically involves examining evidence, recording statements, and making recommendations to relevant law enforcement agencies.